LA Public Works Confident In Efforts To Prevent Flooding Through Nearing Rainstorms
SUN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — City authorities are taking measures to prepare for possible flooding that may come along with the two rain storms approaching California.
During the last moderate rainfall in Southern California, a lot of debris was able to pass through the city sewers' catch basins, designed to prevent pileups within the sewer system.
The result of the gathering debris was a clog in the storm drain below the street.
County officials say that, now, they are more prepared for such circumstances as back-to-back storms approach the state.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works reports that they have taken steps to clean out catch basins and debris basins.
"We have some five hundred miles of storm channels and twenty-nine hundred miles of storm drains, I think, throughout the county," Bob Spencer of the Public Works dept. said. "So, we make sure that all of those are in good, working order."
Last October, clogged storm drains in Sun Valley caused flooding on the I-5 Freeway, and sent mud and debris all over the streets.
Some residents are still skeptic of the effect the department's efforts will have on possible flooding later in the week.
"It gets over-flooded all the time, and when the school kids are (walking), they can't cross the street," resident Martha Ramos said. "It gets flooded right here, and it gets flooded on the other side of the street."
The department, meanwhile, has faith that their efforts will do much to prevent history from repeating itself.
"The system is designed to handle these huge storm events like that, so we're very confident that (the system) will stand up to it."
Residents who spot catch basins gathering a large amount of debris are encouraged to contact your local City Hall to find out which agency attends your specific residential area.
