DELAVAN — Cleanup and recovery efforts remain underway across Delavan after severe flooding on Saturday, Aug. 15, left many residents dealing with water damage, overwhelmed drainage systems and extensive property losses.

In the days following the storm, city crews, county officials, contractors and residents have worked together to assess damage and begin the long process of recovery.

To assist homeowners faced with disposing of flood-damaged belongings, the City of Delavan provided free-use dumpsters at designated locations throughout the community. The dumpsters have allowed residents to remove waterlogged furniture, carpeting, drywall and other household items damaged by floodwaters. City officials said the service was intended to ease the burden on families facing significant cleanup challenges while helping neighborhoods recover more quickly.

Tazewell County also launched a damage assessment survey, encouraging residents affected by the flooding to report their losses. The self-assessment tool is designed to help county and state officials better understand the scope of the disaster and determine where recovery resources may be needed most. Officials emphasized that participation in the survey is critical, as the information collected can help support requests for additional assistance and aid programs.

At the state level, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a disaster declaration covering multiple Central Illinois counties impacted by the flooding, including Tazewell County. The declaration enables state agencies to coordinate resources and support local recovery efforts as communities continue to assess damage and address infrastructure concerns.

Among the most significant issues exposed by the flooding were vulnerabilities within portions of Delavan’s sanitary sewer system. During the storm, some residents reported sanitary sewer backups in their homes as the system struggled to handle the volume of water entering the network.

In response, National Power Rodding, a contractor retained by the City of Delavan, has intensified its ongoing inspection program of the community’s sanitary sewer infrastructure. The company is using specialized cameras to inspect and video record the city’s entire sanitary sewer system.

The goal of the project is to identify breaches, defects or other points of infiltration that may allow groundwater or stormwater to enter what is intended to be a closed-loop sanitary sewer network. During major rain events, excessive inflow and infiltration can overwhelm sewer systems, increasing the risk of backups and other service disruptions.

City officials say locating and repairing those problem areas will be an important step toward improving the system’s resilience and reducing similar issues during future flooding events.

While much work remains ahead, community members, local governments and state agencies continue working together to help Delavan recover.

DELAVAN — The Delavan High School boys golf team opened its season in impressive fashion last week, capturing first place at the Olympia Scramble on Thursday before following it up with a record-breaking performance at the Lincoln Scramble on Friday.

Senior Caden Rassi and juniors Trace Kight-Garlisch, Hudson Briggs and Grady Burrell teamed up to shoot a remarkable 17-under-par 55 at North Greens Golf Course to win the Olympia Scramble title. According to the team’s social media post, the score is unofficially the lowest ever recorded in the history of the Olympia Scramble Invitational.

The Panthers wasted no time putting themselves atop the leaderboard. Delavan was already 12-under par through the first nine holes, setting the tone for a dominant day against the tournament field.

The victory was the culmination of countless hours of work during the offseason. The four golfers who teamed up for the winning score have been among the program’s most dedicated players throughout the summer.

According to the team’s post, Delavan’s golf program keeps track of rounds and practice activity, and Rassi, Kight-Garlisch, Briggs and Burrell combined to play more than 2,500 holes during the summer months alone.

That dedication was clearly reflected in their opening-round performance.

“A great example of the work they have put in paying off,” the team’s post noted.

The momentum carried into Friday’s Lincoln Scramble, where Delavan again posted an outstanding score. Although the Panthers did not finish where they had hoped in the final standings, they nonetheless etched their names into the school record book by shooting 12-under-par 59, establishing a new school record for the Lincoln Scramble format.

While the disappointing finish prevented Delavan from adding another team trophy, the record-setting round further demonstrated the potential of a group that appears poised for a strong season.

Through the first two competitions, the Panthers have shown both consistency and scoring ability. Producing rounds of 55 and 59 on consecutive days is a significant accomplishment, especially at the start of the season when many teams are still finding their rhythm.

With experienced leadership from Rassi and a strong junior class in Kight-Garlisch, Briggs and Burrell, Delavan has already established itself as a team to watch.

What Is a Golf Scramble?

A scramble is a team golf format that differs from traditional stroke play. In a four-person scramble, all four players hit a tee shot on each hole. The team then selects the best shot, and all four players hit their next shot from that location. The process continues until the ball is holed.

Because teams are always playing from their best available shot, scramble scores are typically much lower than individual scores. Success in the format requires a combination of long drives, accurate iron play, strong short-game skills and reliable putting from the entire group.

Delavan demonstrated all of those qualities last week, turning teamwork and summer preparation into a championship performance and a spot in the record book as the Panthers launched their 2026 season in memorable fashion.