Hubbard residents confront council about flooding

Several city residents flooded council with stories of inundation.
By SEAN BARRON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HUBBARD -- A few years ago, Kaye Snowberger remodeled her sun room and garage, only to see those as well as her basement and back yard subjected to repeated flooding.
"I'm mainly worried about long-term structural damage," Snowberger, of 335 W. Park Ave., told city council at its meeting Monday.
Snowberger said that her neighbor's home is higher than hers, and that the neighbor's side yard abuts her backyard, which often means runoff from a heavy rain finds its way onto her property. To make matters worse, Snowberger's insurance won't cover much of the damage, she said.
Snowberger was one of several residents to speak on recurring flooding problems in their area. Others, such as Roger Leckfor of 603 Meadowland Drive, are worried about too few catch basins to handle runoff in their neighborhood.
Leckfor said that he lives near the bottom of a hill and that the storm drains are inadequate to handle water from several converging streets. The drains need to be upgraded, he said.
Wants more done
Alan George, another Meadowland resident, also contended that upgrades need to be made and added that new development in the area over the years has made the problem worse. The city should do more to address the flooding, he said.
Several other homeowners, including some who brought photographs of flood damage to their property, told council of their hardships and concerns each time a heavy storm occurs. A Center Street woman said her garage has flooded three times this year and that she has had 7 inches of sewer water in her home.
Two West Park women told council they have lived in their homes for more than 40 years. One said that this summer's floods are the worst she's seen.
Keep trying
Councilwoman Lisha Baumiller said she has encouraged residents several times to keep addressing the issue before officials. Baumiller, whose ward includes Center and West Park, called the situation ongoing and said she's doing what she can to address it.
Baumiller said that she sees the problem getting worse, and that several roads in her ward are starting to show damage from the water. City officials need to do more, she added.