The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has agreed to provide more than $1.4 million to the village of Dieterich in Effingham County to acquire and demolish nine homes and an apartment building that were damaged during flooding in August of 2022.  

The funding through IDNR’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program will be used to reimburse the village for approved costs associated with buyouts of buildings on a total of 11 lots on Vine, Section, Maple, and Center Streets.  The eastern part of Dieterich, which doesn’t have a storm sewer system, is bisected by Dieterich Creek, which flooded during historic rainfall in 2022, causing significant water damage to several homes.  These properties have flooded five times since 2000.  

After the properties are purchased and demolished, deed restrictions will be placed on them to prohibit new structures from being built in the same locations.  IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie says that they are pleased to assist Dieterich and stressed that it’s important that IDNR works with the Village of Dieterich to break the cycle that leads to reconstruction in flood-prone areas.  

Dieterich Village President Brad Hardiek, thanked State Senator Chapin Rose, State Representative Adam Niemerg, and the IDNR for helping them out.  The total estimated cost for the project is $1,404,000 including acquisition, asbestos abatement, demolition and clearance of the acquired properties, reshaping the properties to a safe and manageable condition, and acquisition transaction expenses, such as title commitments, attorney fees, and recording costs.