In early May 2019, massive flooding occurred in the southwest region of Illinois, caused by a levee breaking along the Illinois River. The flooding caused damage and major devastation throughout the region. First Responders in that area were overwhelmed by the flooding and requested the assistance of neighboring police, fire, and military personnel.
The Village of ArlingtonHeights partners with ILEAS Mobile Field Force Region 4 North and proudly offered two First Responders for deployment to the area. Police Officer Anthony Padiyara and Firefighter/Paramedic Jim Stempien were deployed to Hardin, Illinois on June 5, 2019 to begin assisting local First Responders with anything from EMS and police services to delivery of fresh water to families in need.
The population of Hardin, Illinois in Calhoun County is just under 1,000 people. Calhoun County is an isolated county almost completely surrounded by the Mississippi River and Illinois River with the Mississippi River to the west and the Illinois River to the east. Calhoun County is sparsely populated with only five incorporated towns. Hardin, located about 36 miles north-northwest of St. Louis, is the largest town in Calhoun County. The only bridge into Calhoun County is known as the Joe Page Bridge, which enters Hardin after crossing the Illinois River.
The Arlington Heights Police Department today publicly thanked Police Officer Anthony Padiyara and Firefighter/Paramedic Stempien for their outstanding call to service and their dedication to helping those in need.
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The Mississippi River at St. Louis crested @ 46.02 ft. Second highest crest in history, falling roughly 3.5 ft short of the record crest of 1993. Second major flood crest this year & 6th time since 2013. Of the 12 major crests, half have occurred in the past six years. #stlwx pic.twitter.com/M4SWCX2VQX
— NWS St. Louis (@NWSStLouis) June 9, 2019
Monday evening Calhoun County IL reported the Nutwood Levee in the county was breached by the Illinois River. The additional flooding is expected to close the Joe Page Bridge that carries traffic from IL Route 16 and 100 sometime Monday night. https://t.co/KXP5IVFrIw
— FOX2now (@FOX2now) June 4, 2019
The @GatewayArchSTL would've needed wading boots had Eero Saarinen's original 1947 design been followed to build it right on levee. Mississippi at 45.6 ft. Fri.; 45.9 crest forecast Sat. Arch underground museum open; tram rides closed due to water seepage. #stl #stlwx #flood19 pic.twitter.com/nI07wc4Ave
— Mary Delach Leonard (@MaryDLeonard) June 7, 2019
Big sandbagging effort going on here in Hardin, IL. The Calhoun County Sheriff says this will be going on until at least Thursday to try and prevent floodwater from making its way into buildings on Main Street. pic.twitter.com/HI7CIvJWFC
— Brandon Merano KSDK (@Brandon_Merano) May 29, 2019