“…The Mechanical Rooms were flooded and heating and air-conditioning had to be taken out and replaced. 
The entire lower level of the building was destroyed, including irreplaceable antiques being stored down there. The structural damage was significant…”
The rain started on July 27, 2011, and by 1 a.m. on July 28, the flood gates were ordered closed. Everything the City of Galena had done to help prevent the flooding of downtown wasn’t enough as the rain came, the sewers backed up, and the water rose to 27 inches in some places. One of those places was the historic DeSoto House Hotel.
Owner Dan Kelley surveyed the damage while making sure current guests were alright. The air-conditioning was out, as well as the hot water. Some guests left, but most stayed, insisting on paying full rate for their stay. The hotel never closed its doors.
