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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8620 , ' INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8620 Date: July 27, 2004 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Pagel of3 SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT OF RECENT STORMS IN FORT WORTH Citizens from the Arlington Heights neighborhood, specifically on Carleton Avenue, spoke at the Council meeting on July 6 th and July 13th about flooding in their neighborhood. Per Council's request, the purpose of this report is to summarize the major storm events that occurred over the last two months, describe the nature and extent of their impacts on public and private properties, and convey the discussions held at an Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association meeting held on July 19, Introduction A series of frequent, at times almost continuous, storms passed through this area during a two-month period, producing the second highest monthly rainfall total for June in history. In addition to extensive destruction of public and private properties, five lives were lost in two separate accidents involving flooded roadways. Chronology of Storm Events Major storms during this period are described below along with indications of their impacts. • Apfil 30—A severe storm moved across the city producing high winds, hail and rain, knocking down a number of trees and flooding local roadways. Areas worst impacted were north near Keller and along 1-20. During this storm, a young mother and two children drowned in the Butler-McClure area when they drove their Gar into the creek and it was swept away. • June 3, 4—High winds caused extensive damage to utility lines and trees throughout Tarrant County. An estimated 500,000 residents lost electrical power, the worst in TXU history. Telephone service and street lighting were lost in a number of areas and 61 intersections lost traffic signal control. Farmers Branch overflowed in White Settlement, resulting in homes and businesses flooding. Several homes flooded in west Fort Worth in the Lost Creek and Westpoint neighborhoods, the same neighborhoods impacted by the June 2000 storm. A vehicle drove into floodwaters and was swept off the road at Schadt- Vera Cruz, resulting in the death of two teenagers. • June 6-9—High winds, hail and continuing rainfall occurred during these three days. TPW dispatch received 550 Galls during this period, 350 of which were associated with fallen trees due to high winds. Water levels rose in Eagle Mountain Lake to the point that an emergency release was made. Flooding was so extensive throughout the City that 440 ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 862o PA_V go, Date: July 27, 2004 CO, 1% To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 3 SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT OF RECENT STORMS IN FORT WORTH barricades were set out. The areas most heavily impacted were in the low lying areas around Lake Worth and along the West Fork of the Trinity River. June 2" locally intense storm hit the Arlington Heights, TCU, Rosemont and South Hills areas, the same areas impacted by severe storms in 2001 and 2002. Floodwater rose rapidly to depths of four (4) feet along several streets. A large number of homes, businesses and vehicles were damaged. Several streets and parking lots were damaged as well due the fast moving floodwaters. TPW emergency crews responded to 21 separate complaints of storm drain and inlet problems throughout the City. Emergency Response The Emergency Operations Center was opened during these storm events and remained open, sometimes for several days, until emergency conditions had ended. During this two-month period, 139 homes and businesses were reported flooded, but the actual number could easily be two to three times that amount. During and after storm events, TPW reallocated all of its available resources on several occasions from normal work functions to emergency response—barricading streets, removing trees and debris that blocked streets and drainage facilities, restoring traffic signals and street lights, distributing sandbags to local home and business owners, and making emergency road and drainage repairs. Warning signs were checked and repaired as needed at low-water crossings, and a one-day "blitz" repaired over 1,700 potholes that developed throughout the City due to flood damage on City streets. The estimated' cost of these repairs to date is $137, 289, with additional repairs continuing. The McClure creek crossing, the site of the first roadway-related drowning accident, was severely damaged in the April 30 storm. The structure was repaired and placed back in service on June 16, only to be washed away again during the storm of June 28, 2004. Council authorized closing the crossing until a comprehensive study is completed that will identify alternatives for short-term and long-term solutions along the creek. This study will be available in September. Staff is currently exploring opportunities for providing alternative access, which will allow the Vera Cruz crossing where the second drowning accident occurred, to be closed as well. Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting Staff met with the Arlington Heights Neighborhood Association on July 19, 2004. The discussion included a description of the watershed, the existing infrastructure, what's been done to date (a conceptual study completed in 2002 in preparation for the Bond election developed cost estimates for ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS .......... , INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8620 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Date: J u ly 27, 2004 Page 3 of 3 SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT OF RECENT STORMS IN FORT WORTH a potential Bond project), and what is going to be done (a watershed study funded via 2004 Bond funds that will identify a phased implementation plan and investigations of properties ). Several property owners described their particular situations. Conclusion Staff is continuing to pursue a broad range of actions that address flood hazards facing the City. Additional information will be provided in coming weeks as a number of engineering service and construction contracts are brought to the City Council for approval. An M&C is on today's agenda requesting approval to award a professional services contract for a consultant to assist staff in assessing and recommending standard treatments for the City's critical roadway flooding hazards (low water crossings), including the Butler/McClure location. Per Council's request, staff will present an "Enhanced Stormwater Program" update to the Capital Improvement and Infrastructure Committee in August followed by a report to full Council. a c I n—/ City anager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS