Chaos and frustration for Bedford Park residents after massive water main break
While cleanup crews work to pump out the water, mud and dirt now cover nearly everything inside the building. For Solanlly Hernandez, the damage feels overwhelming.
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The water may be gone, but the devastation left behind in Bedford Park is far from over. Many residents are still reeling from Monday night’s massive water main break, unsure where they’ll sleep tonight.
Solanlly Hernandez, a single mother of two, broke down in tears as she showed the damage to her two-bedroom apartment. She described the terrifying moments when floodwaters began rushing in.
"I managed to get my 6-year-old son and my 8-year-old daughter out of the apartment by shoving this door open, shoving them into the hallway where all the water was coming in. It was literally up to there," Hernandez said.
While cleanup crews work to pump out the water, mud and dirt now cover nearly everything inside the building. For Hernandez, the damage feels overwhelming.
"Just my couch were like a thousand and something," she said, adding, "I can’t even fathom a number."
Outside, residents are dealing with other losses. Brown, whose car was submerged overnight, expressed his frustration and hope for help.
"Somebody called me and said my car was under water. I looked out the window," he explained. "If I could get any help with this, I would appreciate it because it hurts."
Despite the devastation, Hernandez says she’s thankful her family is safe.
"I don’t care about any of this stuff. I care about my kids and getting us out of here—that’s all I care about," she said.
The Department of Environmental Protection has started handing out claim forms to those impacted. For many, it’s just the first step on a long road to recovery.
Even in the face of this tragedy, neighbors have shown resilience—helping each other evacuate and start cleaning up the mess left behind.
