Okay, so you make estimates on stormwater based upon recent years flow. You don’t take into consideration that recent years are essentially drought years. Then the rain comes and what happens. We currently have flooding all over the Town of Christiansburg.
Despite the fact that the Town was out fighting stormwater problems during a fairly light rain a few days ago (I’ll get those pics up when I can), a bigger rain comes and low and behold, the Cambria Emporium has a new mud floor, the Historic Cambria Depot has a watermark about 16″ up from ground level on the side of the building.
Some of this can be attributed, I’m sure, to the fact that a local business’s dumpster turned over and blocked the one extra drain in the area that diverts stormwater under the railroad and into the Creek. (By the way, the Creek level is fine, it never flooded.)
Some of this, particularly given how extensive this flood damage has been throughout the town, is more likely due to poor planning for stormwater management.
By the way, did you know that per the Town Code any work done on streets/sidewalks, etc. that raises the level of that entity requires that the Town Manager provide written notices to adjacent property owners and that waivers are obtained before the work begins? (Just a quick aside.)
Please let me know what you are hearing as to the flooding in Christiansburg. I want to know where it occurred and, if possible, the types of damage done. Thus far, I have heard that a tremendous amount of it has been in the Mall area. (Let’s see….massive, expansive development, poor stormwater management, and flooding? Is there a relationship?)
So I guess the goal of saving taxpayer money by taking shortcuts only works if you live on the higest property in Town.
CAMBRIA DEPOT MUSEUM
We live in Vista Via and own a home built by a well known developer. In a way, his incompetence in building made us wary of our basement and we had a French drain and sump pump installed. Thanks to my husband, we did well. We have a ditch next to our home and he sent all the water over there. But others in our neighborhood were not so lucky.
I hope that everyone who has had a similar problem contacts me. I just figured out how to make these really kewl photo albums for my website. Anyone who has the time and inclination to take photos these types of things, please consider sending me copies of them for inclusion. I would also like to start a collection of written documents from anyone who has had stormwater problems. Any information can be sent to me at christianburgthinks@verizon.net, drop by the store Cambria Toy Station @ 630 Depot Street, or call me at 382-6431. Enough is enough. I’ve tried to point out problems along with a lot of other people. We continue to be ignored. At my best I’m considered a grouch. Right now, I am a grouch building to a nuclear grade explosion!
My friends that live in Diamond Hill (beside Oak Tree Town Homes) next to a town easement had extensive flooding and damage. 3 homes had 8″ of sewage water backed up in their basements and 1 home had 4″ of water on their main level from easement flooding (this home is 14′ higher than the easement, but there were major backups and poor drainage). Insurance does not cover sewage flooding under regular natural water flood insurance, and the town is also refusing to cover it. It is a mess, especially on Cameo Court.
I’m hearing a lot of these comments. I’m still maintaining Depotdazed.com at another site so I’m getting responses from both. Also, people are calling in. This sort of stuff has got to stop. The Town makes decisions and so long as they can blame it on someone else if something happens, then so be it. It is citizens that lose. When everyone sees the hikes in their insurance rates, they will not have to look far to see why. See additional comments at http://depotdazed.com
Pictures of the flood posted at the photobucket website listed.
(http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/TraceySherman/Flood%202009/?albumview=slideshow)
Great photos! Thank you! Hope you are ready for more of the same. With the rain today and MUCH, MUCH more expected Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, it is likely to be a rough ride. Fortunately, I was able to prevent some damage tonight and the Town did respond with some sandbags. I wish you the best of luck! Keep me posted. I love the slide show, maybe one day you could show me how to do that?:)
da best. Keep it going! Thank you