DPW crews worry about flooding after winter storms and expected rain
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Nick Montes reports that officials are worried about the melting snow. Video by 620wtmj.com
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MILWAUKEE - Department of Public Works crews worried about this next storm and possible flooding, so they have been busy clearing out storm drains. Several inches of snow are blocking many drains.
Lee Kelm walks around his neighborhood every day. He's noticed how much snow is blocking storm drains after all the winter storms.
“I'd say the majority are covered up and iced over,” Kelm said.
But, this weekend a half an inch to an inch of rain is expected, which will cause the ice to slowly melt, and could cause some problems.
DPW crews are taking advantage of the dry weather to clear drains around town. They don't anticipate a lot of flooding.
"We sent all crews out this morning to locate all the catch basins and low lying areas,” said Robert Brooks with Milwaukee DPW.
At 31st and Burleigh, work crews said clearing drains is labor intensive.
"What they would do is locate them,” said Brooks. “[To} see if any of the debris is in the catch basin and move the debris."
Just like when it snows - crews will work on major roads first - then the side roads.
There are 55,000 storm drains in Milwaukee and DPW is asking residents to step up and also help.
“If they just go out uncover them, that would alleviate them from surface ponding in their areas,” Brooks added.
If you do see ponding, you are asked to call DPW immediately. You can reach them at 414-286-CITY.
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