Local News

Monday, Oct. 19, 1998

Blocked drains, overflowing ditches increase flooding problems in city

From staff reports

   Six to seven inches of rain became two to three feet of standing water Sunday in many parts of Corpus Christi.
   The heavy rainfall caused some of the city's major drainage ditches to fill up to their banks, said Valerie Gray, the city's stormwater superintendent. The heavy rains were just too much for the drainage inlets to digest in the short period of time.
   "If it is a steady, even flow, it gives the system the time to drain," Gray said. "Two to 3 inches in two hours is pretty intense. It doesn't give enough time for the water to flow out of the system."
   The drainage ditch that crosses Rodd Field Road and the ditches along Holly Road and Williams Drive were filled to their banks Sunday. Oso Creek also was full, she said.
   Another problem is that the drains could be blocked by trash, debris and even small toys. Gray didn't know what crews found in the drains Sunday, but she said it's not unusual to find trash bags, grass clippings, lumber, yard signs and children's toys.
   "Anything that is not fenced in has a possibility of ending up in the drains," she said.
   Workers look for drains that are not taking any water and free the debris with long rods.
   

Post your comments on this story in our forums.

---

  © 1998 Corpus Christi Caller Times, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.