Acacia Avenue Flooding Puts Focus on Storm Drain Capacity
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3/1/10 - Their alleyway gets flooded every time a hard rain falls, say Acacia Avenue residents, "but this year was the worst." Several homeowners brought their concerns to the City Council this week and said they've had enough of the property damage and safety hazards caused by inadequate street drainage.
The alley separates Highway 101 businesses such as Roberto's and the Mohawk car wash from the garages behind many homes on Acacia. During the January storms, the water level climbed up the banks of alley and up to 9 inches deep in some garages, engulfing a few backyards as well.
"The storm drain on Ocean Avenue is totally inadequate for the area that drains from Circle Drive, Pacific Avenue, the Coast Highway and Solana Vista, almost all the way up to Cliff Street," said longtime resident Tom Bauer.
In addition to causing property damage and mold issues, the most recent flooding stranded some people in their cars.
"I was at work when this was all happening on January 20th, and I received a frantic phone call from my babysitter and my children who were trapped in her car," said Ocean Avenue homeowner Lori Taylor. "She got stuck and was having trouble opening her car door and it was dark and stormy." With no emergency personnel on the scene, "They slogged their way through several feet of water, with trash cans and debris floating by."
According to one speaker, at least three Highway 101 businesses were dislocated for over a month until they could dry out and remodel.
Mayor Tom Campbell asked the City Manager and Public Works Department to look into the problem and return with options, including selected street closures during heavy rain.
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