Flooding Assessment Underway In Lower Makefield Twp.

LOWER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA —A consultant will hold a meeting Wednesday for township residents to offer input as it assesses the watershed adjacent to the Maplevale neighborhood following the flash flooding that damaged homes and roads three months ago.

The township hired Land Studies, an environmental consulting firm based in Lititz, to perform a conditions assessment along the entire sketch of the unnamed tributary to look for opportunities to address upstream conditions.

As part of their scope of work, a community listening/information gathering session will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at the LMT Community Center, Township Manager David Kratzer said.

He anticipates that Land Studies will complete their work by November or December.

On July 15, a fast-moving storm dumped six inches of rain on the township, causing flash flooding that damaged homes and claimed the lives of six people in nearby Upper Makefield Township.

Since that storm, the township has held special meetings with residents in the Maplevale neighborhood to provide updates and hear concerns.

The township has recently made progress on flood damage repairs.

Township Manager David Kratzer said that restoration work at 18 and 20 Maplevale and repairs to the bank of the Delaware Canal have been completed.

Residents have expressed frustration with the repair process, especially on the state level.

While the township continues to discuss partnership and funding opportunities with state agencies, Kratzer said there's been no update from PEMA or FEMA regarding public or individual assistance.