Due to the potential for significant rainfall and flash flooding, the city is alerting residents to take precautions in helping prevent localized flooding to city streets. Local weather forecasts indicate that there could be 5” to 10” of rain within the next several days. City crews are working on inspecting culverts and other storm drains within the street right of ways to insure that they are not blocked with limbs and other debris which can result in roads being flooded and property to be flooded upstream. The city crews will also be inspecting storm drain grates and clearing them as needed.
Residents can help by taking the following steps to insure that storm drain pipes and other storm water facilities are kept clean and free of debris.
1. Do not place leaves (loose or bagged) pine straw, grass clippings, limbs brush or other trash within a ditch or curb line which can float or cause blockage of culverts and catch basins. This is a major cause of back-ups.
2. Be mindful of where your rollout cart or other bins are placed so that they do not have the potential to float or make its way into ditches or storm water conveyance facilities.
3. In the event of a fallen tree within the city right of way, please dial 252-430-6030, or 252-431-6115 during business hours. After hours dial 911 and our street department crews will be dispatched. In the event the trees have fallen within power lines, the city crews have to wait until such lines are de-activated and removed so please be patient.
4. Potential heavy rainfall also increases the potential for sanitary sewer overflows as the sanitary sewer system gets inundated with rain water due to infiltration. If you see a sanitary sewer main overflowing please dial 252-431-6030 or 252-431-6115 during normal working hours and after hours dial 911 and the on call personnel will be dispatched.
If you have any additional questions or concerns you may call the Public Services Director at 252-431-6030 or the City Manager’s office at 252-430-5700.