As temperatures warmed up today, the snow started to melt, and for some, that melting snow just added more grief to an already stressful time. The heavy snowfall, combined with fluctuating temperatures, has the potential to cause flooding, as seen in a Harborcreek neighborhood. In this case, a creek behind several homes overflowed, flooding yards, garages, and one family's basement.
Thomas Kranhke Jr. said, "We were called here today because of a flooded basement. There ended up being 2-3 feet of water throughout the basement and yard because the pipes were plugged up."
The City of Erie Streets Bureau Chief, Jeff Gibbens, shares that their team is not only focused on catching up with the snowfall impacting the streets but also addressing potential flooding issues that could follow. Jeff Gibbens said, "The sewage department is on overtime right now, and we had help from the water authority. They are working on that. They are trying to keep all the catch basins open, and they are responding to all the flooding calls."
Gibbens explains the cause behind the flooding seen in the city and who to contact if you are experiencing any of these issues. Jeff Gibbens said, "It's definitely from the snowpacks. The inlets are covered. I have not seen a lot of flooding right now, but I am not saying that it won't happen. If you do get something, you need to call the emergency number, and we will get someone out there, or the sewage department will send someone to get that open."
If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, it's important to take pictures and notify your insurance company immediately.
