Hammond, a city in Indiana, was hit hard by record rainfall on September 17th, leading to devastating sewage backups in many residents’ homes. The heavy rain overwhelmed the Hammond sanitary system, causing raw sewage to flood basements and causing significant damage to personal property. Over 500 homes experienced sewage backups, leaving many residents in dire need of assistance.
Donna Swierz, a Hammond resident, shared her distressing experience during a city council meeting, revealing that her basement was filled with three feet of raw sewage. The cost of repairs for her and other affected homeowners could be as high as $10,000. Swierz expressed her determination to handle the repairs herself due to the financial burden.
State Representative Carolyn Jackson, representing Hammond, has reached out to Governor Eric Holcomb, seeking assistance for the affected residents. While uncertain about what the Governor’s office can do, Jackson emphasized the importance of any aid provided and expressed deep appreciation for the potential assistance.
During the council meeting, residents shared photos displaying waste floating in their basements and piles of destroyed belongings. They requested financial assistance from the city and sought reassurances that such a devastating flood would not occur again.
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. acknowledged the severity of the situation, explaining that when the city is hit with such extreme rainfall, there is simply nowhere for the water to go. The Hammond Wastewater Treatment Plant, built to handle a maximum capacity of 68 million gallons of water per day, was inundated with 108 million gallons a day during the storm. Despite this, it was still not enough to prevent the sewage backups.
The neighboring cities of Calumet City, Dolton, and Burnham in Illinois were also impacted by the severe weather. Calumet City, in particular, experienced 11.5 inches of rain per hour, leading its mayor to request assistance from various federal, state, and county authorities.
The recurring extreme rain events in Hammond have raised concerns among city council members about the changing climate. They highlighted that weather patterns resulting from climate change will continue to worsen, emphasizing the urgent need for new strategies and infrastructure to address this issue.
Councilman Pete Torres suggested replacing paved alleyways with gravel and creating more retention ponds to help water permeate the ground. Implementing green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and permeable surfaces, was also recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce stormwater runoff.
For now, the city is urging affected residents to contact the Hammond Sanitary District to learn about the Backflow Prevention Program, which can help prevent future basement backups. The program offers reimbursement for a portion of the cost of installing backflows.
As Hammond seeks assistance from the state and federal governments, residents are hopeful for financial aid and measures to prevent such devastating flooding in the future. The city council members are calling for a comprehensive assessment of the damage and discussions on implementing effective flood prevention strategies to address this new normal of intense rainfall.
The next Hammond Common Council meeting will be held on October 10th, providing an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and suggestions for addressing the aftermath of the record rainfall.
