2017/05/08 - Mayor's Column: Updates from a Busy Week in O'Fallon
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from O’Fallon Mayor Herb Roach
A lot can happen in one week, especially in a busy city like O’Fallon. As Mayor, I want to make sure that all of O’Fallon’s residents are well informed and up-to-date on what is happening in their city. Please allow me to provide updates on some of the major happenings in O’Fallon.
Heavy Rainfall
The entire St. Louis region experienced a very large amount of rainfall over the past few weeks. Per the St. Louis Post Dispatch, during a ten-day span some areas experienced more than ten inches of rainfall, causing flooding that shut down portions of Interstates 44 and 55 in Missouri.
Local impact was minimal; we are not aware of any O’Fallon streets that were impassable and local creeks stayed in their banks. Unfortunately, IDOT did have to close U.S. 50, between O’Fallon and Lebanon due to flooding.
We had crews surveying neighborhoods for any signs of flooding so that we can properly address in the future any areas with drainage concerns.
First Responders Help Save 8-Year Old Boy
Many of you may have already read about the rescue of the eight-year old boy in the Braeswood Neighborhood. The little boy who was saved is very lucky, our first responders did an incredible job, and the rescue was nothing short of miraculous.
During the heavy rainfall, at approximately 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 30th, O’Fallon’s first responders were called out to save a boy who had been playing in a drainage area and was sucked into a drainage pipe. The boy traveled through over 60 feet of pipe before being dumped into a manhole pit. O’Fallon’s first responders were able locate the boy yelling for help inside the manhole, clinging to the access ladder.
I want to send out a personal thank you to all our first responders for not just this rescue, but for the work they do every time they show up for work.
I am extremely glad the story had a happy ending. But please use it as caution. Drainage areas, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding can be dangerous areas and should not be played in.
CSX Railroad Update
We were as surprised as everyone else in O’Fallon when a train traveled through the City last week. We contacted CSX immediately after the first train and have been in contact with them since. CSX informed us that they are moving train cars for storage to the east and could continue for a couple of weeks.
We were informed that CSX is working with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) to ensure that the proper safety precautions are in place when they use the line. We have not yet been provided a detailed explanation from CSX or the ICC of what the future holds for the tracks, but CSX has told us that they will try to inform us whenever they plan to have a train move through the City.
The O’Fallon Police Department will be monitoring the crossings to ensure your safety. While CSX has said that they will let us know about each train, the City cannot guarantee that it can be broadcasted every time a train comes through town, so please be cautious when crossing train tracks.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open!