Ferndale's Flood Fix Makes for a Dry Year

Here’s some good news after the terrible news of catastrophic flooding in Ferndale in August 2014:

The city’s Department of Public Works says it received only one service request to investigate water in a basement during periods of heavy rain this year in Ferndale and the rest of Metro Detroit.

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Typically by this time of year, the DPW receives 100 or more calls about flooding.

The reason?

After the flooding, the DPW began using new sewer maintenance equipment, including a specialized camera, to locate and resolve issues before they cause flooding.

So, what about the streets? When heavy rains fall and water collects or pools on streets, should concerned residents contact DPW? Cureton says that in most cases, the answer is actually no.

“Many of our streets are designed with special restrictor plates to slow the entry of storm water,” Curetonsaid. “Pipes can only hold so much, so a heavy rain in a short period of time could overwhelm them. The idea is that we would rather flood streets temporary than flood residents’ basements.”

The bottom line, says Cureton:

“If street water drains within an hour or so, it’s designed to be that way.”

Points to Remember for Stormy Days

• There’s no need to contact DPW about street flooding, as long as the water begins to drain within an hour.
• Call or contact DPW if you notice basement flooding, property damage, or if streets fail to drain an hour or more after the rain stops.
• In the case of a flood or flash flood, don’t attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters. Turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road, get out of the car and move to higher ground.
• If a power line comes down during a rainstorm, keep at least 20 feet away and call DTE Energy’s 24-hour reporting line at (800) 477-4747. Never touch or drive across a downed power line.

» Photo by Rachel via Flickr/Creative Commons