Central Illinois sees real severe weather. The November 2013 EF-4 tornado that hit Washington and parts of Pekin reshaped both communities and left a lasting mark on the Tri-County’s severe-weather memory. Hail-bearing supercells, derecho events, line storms with 70+ mph winds, and the kind of sudden two-inch-an-hour rainfall that overwhelms older urban drainage are all routine here. So is the result: roof damage, wind-driven rain intrusion, flash flooding, and — in the older parts of Peoria — combined sewer overflow events that push wastewater back into basements.
We respond throughout the Tri-County area to storm-related water damage and to sewer backup events 24 hours a day.
Storm Damage Water Events
The damage pattern from a Central Illinois severe weather event:
Roof damage from hail and wind. Tri-County storms regularly produce 1-2 inch hail and 60-80 mph straight-line winds. Shingles get torn off, hail bruises shorten roof life, and immediate leaks develop. Water comes into attic spaces, then drips through ceiling drywall on second floors and through ceiling fixtures.
Wind-driven rain through siding and windows. Hurricane-force winds aren’t normal here, but 60+ mph straight-line winds are. They drive rain horizontally into siding seams, around window frames, and through soffits and gable vents. Wall cavities and second-floor walls get wet from the inside.
Tree damage on roofs. Older neighborhoods — Moss Bradley, the streets around Bradley University, parts of Pekin and Morton — have mature oak and maple canopy. Trees come down on roofs during severe wind events. Even surviving roofs lose shingles where branches scrape across them.
Flash flooding from heavy rain. Two to three inches of rain in under an hour is a real Tri-County summer event. Streets flood. Basements flood. Streams along the bluff edges run over their banks.
Power outages compounding the damage. Storms knock out power. Sump pumps stop. Refrigerators and freezers fail. Crawl spaces and basements flood that wouldn’t have with power.
Sewer Backup Events
Sewer backups are a different category of water damage and require different handling. Many older parts of central Peoria are served by combined sewers that mix sanitary sewage and storm runoff in the same pipe. During heavy rain events, when stormwater overwhelms the combined system, the relief points are sometimes basement floor drains.
What this means in practice:
The water is Category 3. Black water — contains sewage, pathogens, and contamination from anywhere upstream in the sewer system. Different protocols, different protective equipment, different disposal requirements.
Affected porous materials must be removed. Carpet, pad, drywall that has been in contact with sewage water cannot be salvaged. Saturated insulation comes out. Affected contents are usually a loss.
Antimicrobial treatment is non-optional. All non-porous surfaces that contacted the water are HEPA-vacuumed and treated with EPA-registered antimicrobial. Crews wear full PPE — Tyvek suits, respirators, eye protection.
Insurance coverage is different. Standard homeowners insurance typically does NOT cover sewer backup unless you have a specific sewer backup endorsement on your policy. Many Tri-County homeowners do; many don’t. We can help document for the claim, but you should check your policy or talk to your agent before assuming coverage.
What We Do
For both storm damage and sewer backup events:
- Fast dispatch. Call (555) 555-5555, expect a crew within an hour for most addresses
- Source containment. For storm events, temporary tarping where roof damage is contributing to ongoing water intrusion. For sewer events, ensuring no further backup is occurring before cleanup begins
- Extraction. Truck-mounted extraction of standing water
- Demolition. Removal of unsalvageable materials per category-of-water protocols
- Antimicrobial treatment. Especially critical for Category 3 sewer events
- Structural drying. Dehumidifiers and air movers, monitored daily
- Documentation. Full insurance-grade documentation throughout
What We Cannot Do
We’re a water damage restoration company, not a roofer or general contractor. We can tarp damaged roofs as a temporary measure, but we don’t do permanent roof replacement, structural rebuild after fallen trees, or general construction. We work alongside Tri-County roofers, GCs, and tree services to address the full scope of storm damage.
Call Now
(555) 555-5555 — 24/7. After major storm events, our response priority is set by severity, not call order. We’ll always give you an honest ETA when you call.