VOLUNTEERS — Thank You! ! !

By CHRISTINA THORNROSE, President
Village of Lake in the Hills, IL

The afternoon of Sunday, July 18, 1993 brought a flash flood to our Community that threatened the Dam of Lake No. 1.

The lakes for which Lake in the Hills was named are an important asset to all of our residents, so prompt action was needed.

The Public Works Department under Dave Gregoria. Police Department under Chief Jim Wales, Rick Forner, engineering consultants, Wight Consulting Engineers, Inc., Barrington, IL and administration under Village President Christina Thornrose, Trustee Helen Jost at the information post mobilized to protect the Dam and the Community. Requests for help went out and brought over 400 volunteers to help with filling and placing sandbags, handling tarps and moving equipment.

The sandbagging volunteers ranged in age from 9 into the 70s and stayed on the line for over 5 hours while we watched the flood crest and finally recede. The volunteers and the Lake in the Hills staff were immediately and amply aided by:

Lake in the Hills Public Works
Lake in the Hills Police Department
Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Fire Department
McHenry County E.S.D.A.
McHenry County Sheriff's Department
Huntley Fire Department
West Dundee Fire Department
Cary Fire Department
Lake County Sheriff's Department
Wight Consulting
Algonquin Township
Nunda Township
Salvation Army
American Red Cross
School District 300
Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Ambulance
Lake in the Hills Sanitary District
Algonquin Police Department
McHenry County Highway Department

Volunteers came from all sections of Village of Lake in the Hills and surrounding communities. It is a testimonial to Lake in the Hills citizens and represents the help we give each other in times of emergency.

A critique of the emergency event was conducted 4 days later with all of the professionals involved, to learn from the event. The critique enhanced communications and complimented those who rushed to the aid of the Village of Lake in the Hills. Volunteers, government agencies and Lake in the Hills staff all deserve a huge thank you from the President and Board of Trustees. •

September 1993 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 21