Lake Michigan High Water Level Shoreline Assessment

On January 10-12, 2020, the City of Chicago was subject to a damaging Lake Michigan storm, with high winds and large waves.  Several transportation corridors were either partially or fully closed, and several private property owners located close to the lakefront suffered damage.  In addition, areas owned by the Chicago Park District were subject to overtopping, flooding, erosion and damage.  The Chicago Park District and their partner, Chicago Department of Transportation retained SmithGroup to perform a rapid-response inspection and assessment of the Lakefront. 

Between January 21, 2020 and January 28, 2020 assessment teams with the City of Chicago assessment teams attempted to access and assess approximately 80 buildings, the majority of which were private properties predominantly in the 7th, 48th, and 49th Wards.  The primary desired output of the inspections was to provide enough information to the City in order to identify the most vulnerable properties located on the lakefront and to respond effectively in the event of future storms.  

Supporting Information Facts