Rains force Public Works crews from potholes to clogged storm drains
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Heavy rains Wednesday caused some major issues for drivers, and Thursday’s precipitation prospects may bring a repeat.
Much of the Indy metro got an inch of rain in a short amount of time. Some streets flooded, and storm drains got clogged.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works switched up its game plan to deal with the problems. Public Works moved its crews from pothole patrol to clearing out clogged storm drains ahead of what is expected to be another rough day of rain Thursday.
Flooding will be a major concern Thursday as an additional 1- 3 inches or more of rain is expected.
On Wednesday morning, the road surface at East 37th Street and North Richardt Avenue looked like a lake.
“It (a car) came through here, tried to go around the flood that was in the street and got stuck when he tried to go through the ditch,” area resident Micha Mclaughlin said.
McLaughlin showed the damage left behind after the car ended up in her front yard Wednesday morning. That’s when, she said, another driver tried to help, but that driver’s tire burst and the vehicle’s gas tank ruptured.
“There was gas all over the ground,” Mclaughlin said.
“We were thinking about going to go get sand bags to at least put around the front of the yard and maybe the ditch. But I don’t think it’s going to help with the water,” Mclaughlin said.
That’s exactly why Public Works had 18 crews out.
“Our crews today switched from filling potholes to making sure that storm drains were free from debris so that excess water can drain,” Ben Easley with the Department of Public Works (DPW) said Wednesday. “We are going to be back out tomorrow.”
Public Works is focusing on the main thoroughfares.
Residents who see storm drains in their neighborhoods that look like they might be clogged with debris should go ahead and pull out the debris, the Public Works official said. The department also advised people who see a road that is impassable because of standing water to call the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622.