Tropical Storm Arthur Good Reason to Clear Stormdrains, Debris BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. -- County residents are encouraged to clear stormwater drains and to clear and remove loose debris from their property -- not only because Tropical Storm Arthur is churning in the Atlantic, just off the East Coast -- but as routine preparation for hurricane season. Property owners are advised to visually inspect their home and property. Make any repairs necessary. Check the roof for loose shingles; the gutters and drains to ensure proper drainage; the trees for loose branches; the grounds for debris or items such as lawn furniture that could blow away. Tropical Storm Arthur is making a slow trek northwest along the East Coast, prompting a Tropical Storm Watch for Brevard County. Wind gusts of 25 to 25 mph outside of squalls, 40 to 60 mph inside squalls, are possible. Some areas could receive heavy rain of 1 to 3 inches, and possibly 5 inches along coastal regions, but the storm is expected to remain off shore, according to the National Weather Service in Melbourne. During hurricane season, residents are also encouraged to become familiar with the drainage system in their neighborhoods: where the stormwater drains are located, where there could be problems, who is responsible for maintenance, and how to contact them. To prevent flooding, residents should make sure storm drains are free of debris so water can drain freely. Blockages should be reported to the appropriate authority: their homeowners’ association, their city’s Public Works Department or the Brevard County Public Works Department. County contacts are: • North area -- from the Volusia County line south to Gus Hipp/Roy Wall Boulevard on the mainland: call 321-264-5084 • Central area -- All of Merritt Island and south to the Pineda Causeway on the beaches: call 321-455-1389 • South Area -- from Gus Hipp/Roy Wall Boulevard to the Indian River County line on the mainland, and from Pineda Causeway south to the Sebastian Inlet on the beaches: call 321-255-4310 Being proactive can reduce potential flooding problems when storm events occur. Stormwater management systems are typically designed for a 25-year storm and extreme events can overwhelm the capacity of any system. Even if the system is operating properly, it may take days to drain, due to inundation of surrounding areas. Many homeowners have automatic timers on their sprinkler systems. Brevard County residents can help to reduce flooding by installing a rain sensor for their irrigation system or by turning off sprinklers after significant rainfall events. This will avoid adding more water to flood-prone areas. Homeowners associations who receive re-use water and have valves internal to their systems are also requested to cease use until irrigation is needed.
Posted on: Tue, 01 Jul 2014 19:50:51 +0000
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