Skokie water main break causes flooding, road closures, and emergency e-learning

A significant water main break in Skokie is causing distress, as roads flood and residents face a boil water order. The break happened early Friday at the intersection of East Prairie Road and Emerson Street, disrupting the village's water supply. The resulting flood has affected traffic and left some residents stranded, while schools resort to e-learning methods.

The break began around 5:15 a.m., heavily impacting the locale near Emerson Street and East Prairie Road. Local authorities were quick to respond, noting significant flooding in surrounding areas, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Witnesses observed water as deep as several feet in some places, though levels have since subsided. Emergency services quickly closed affected roads, including sections of McCormick Boulevard and East Prairie Road, to prevent further disruptions.

The boil water order was put in place early Friday, first affecting Skokie, and later extending to parts of Evanston. Residents are urged to boil water for five minutes before using it for daily necessities, reports Fox 32 Chicago. The Skokie-Morton Grove School District and Niles Township District 219 closed schools, shifting to remote learning for student safety.

With freezing temperatures, residents have expressed concern about the formation of ice. One Skokie resident commented to WGN TV that he has never seen anything of this magnitude, especially this time of the season. The public works department is busy making repairs, but no timeline has been provided for a resolution.

Skokie officials continue to monitor the situation, providing updates on repairs and safety measures for residents as they attempt to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through village announcements and to check their water usage carefully until further notice.