GARDEN GROVE : City Approves Limited Flood-Control Project
Residents whose homes flooded last winter were relieved to learn this week that the city will spend about $1 million on flood-control measures, but one questioned whether they are too little, too late.
“We didn’t lose any lives, but we’ve got little kids, we’ve got elderly people living there,” said Debra White. “Is it going to take somebody dying for you to pressure the county to do something about the channel?”
The council Tuesday night approved three measures, costing a total of $1 million, that will improve flood control in west Garden Grove, west of Knott Street, including a new storm drain, block walls and flap gates on storm drain outlets.
But the council stopped short of approving an $11-million detention basin that would provide the most comprehensive protection.
Council members said the city could not afford such a project itself and that the county, state or federal government should finance it.
They said the measures they did approve would provide some protection, but that it would be excessively costly to guard against damage from a storm like the one that flooded 175 homes in January, and which is expected only about once every 100 to 200 years.
White also argued that a 1987 city report identified deficiencies in the area’s flood control system, and that the council should have taken action then.
“The conclusions and recommendations in that report include the floodgates you’re talking about now,” she said. “Why wasn’t that done in 1987?”
Councilman Mark Leyes said the city had to balance the likelihood of a very severe storm against the costs.
“We understand the issue there and we’re trying to do all we can to keep it from happening again, but we can’t guarantee it,” Leyes said.
(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)
Flood Proofing
As a flood- control measure, Garden Grove will erect block walls and install storm drains and flood gates. Where the changes will occur:
1. Storm drains
2. Block walls
3. Storm drain gates
Source: City of Garden Grove
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