Sunday, May 24, 2009
Editorial: Flooded basements in Christiansburg
Poor storm water management made heavy rains worse.
From the RoundTable blog
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Last weekend, many Christians-burg residents mopped up water in their basements. With any luck, the floods and backed-up sewers that were to blame will spark a needed discussion about the town's storm water policies.
The worst flooding -- at least the most disgusting -- saw waste sewage back up into people's homes. Less foul -- but no less infuriating -- flooding took place all over town. Some neighborhoods saw a wall of water rush through, sweeping away flower beds and landscaping timbers. Others saw clogged storm sewers and culverts send water into homes and onto streets.
Anger is understandable, especially if people find out that their homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage. They are turning their ire toward the town, seeking compensation for damage.
Unless they can show gross negligence by the town, any lawsuits and claims against Christiansburg will not likely advance very far. A week of rain had saturated the ground, and when several inches fell in just a few hours, it had to go somewhere.
Yet town leadership does belong under the spotlight while the town dries. Sewers did clog, and the town is lazy about clearing roadside ditches that front many properties. The pipes beneath driveways often clog while the weeds grow tall.
And things might remain bad. Town council for years has approved development that leans toward pavement and away from landscaping that might absorb storm water. Just last week, it approved a barren parking lot for selling used cars on Depot Street. Runoff -- including any vehicle fluids -- will go straight into Crab Creek, the heart of much of the recent flooding.
Smart planners recognize that open space and vegetation absorb heavy rains. Impenetrable surfaces keep rain out of the ground and flowing toward neighborhoods and basements.
Perhaps a flood of citizens at council meetings demanding answers will lead to better storm water policy in Christiansburg. If not, it might take a flood at the ballot box to force change.
