Flooding

Flooding creates a stressful and emotional situation for the homeowner or renter. In some cases it may cause health and safety concerns as well as significant property loss.

Flooding can result from:

• Rainfall events exceeding the capacity of the sanitary or storm sewer system.
• Debris or tree roots blocking the sanitary or storm sewer pipes.
• Leaves and debris blocking storm sewer inlet grates.
• Collapsed or broken sanitary or storm sewer pipes.

Sanitary sewer flooding is generally recognized by water coming out of plumbing fixtures (toilet, floor drains, bathtubs, showers, and sinks) or the circular manhole covers in the street that are marked with the word sanitary. Please see the sanitary back-up webpage if you think you have experienced sanitary sewer flooding.

Storm sewer flooding is generally recognized by water accumulating on streets or in yards.  A proper response to flooding can greatly minimize property damage and diminish the threat of illness. Please report any flooding to the Public Works Department.

The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  Use the MSC ( msc.fema.gov ) to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk.

Water seeping or leaking through basement walls or floors is a groundwater issue and cannot be addressed by the Public Works Department. Please contact a basement waterproofing contractor if you have this issue.