A long-stalled project that would permanently solve Morgan
Hill’s flooding problem won’t be completed in time, but the city
and local businesses are preparing to minimize the possible damage
of an incoming storm that could drown the downtown area next
week.
A long-stalled project that would permanently solve Morgan Hill’s flooding problem won’t be completed in time, but the city and local businesses are preparing to minimize the possible damage of an incoming storm that could drown the downtown area next week.
As of now, the National Weather Service is expecting slightly more than an inch of rain to fall steadily Monday through Friday. Forecaster Steve Anderson said the rain will be brought on by a “series of storms,” but it’s difficult to predict the volume of precipitation expected to fall later next week.
“It doesn’t look like it’s that big a storm right now, but that could change,” Anderson said.
Still, the storms are coming while the season’s first big downpour which dumped more than 6 inches of rain and flooded the city Oct. 13 is still fresh in people’s minds.
Downtown business owners, many whose shops suffered minor damage from the deluge, are preparing to react by forming a “downtown flood team.” And while the rain falls Tuesday night, Morgan Hill and Santa Clara Valley Water District officials will be holding a community meeting on flood preparedness at the Community and Cultural Center.
Morgan Hill Downtown Association Executive Director Jorge Briones said he hopes to coordinate an effort to respond more quickly to the potential threat of rising flood waters. That includes designating a “block leader” for each downtown square to report what’s happening by radio or cell phone, and having an “early watch” system in place with eyes on areas like Hale Avenue where flood waters start to collect before reaching downtown.
They are also encouraging the city to set up a sandbag station downtown where shop owners will have faster access to defensive sandbags. On Oct. 13, the nearest place sandbags could be acquired was the public works yard on Edes Court.
“I don’t want to be trudging around in knee-deep water again,” Briones said. “My hope in putting something together is having a rapid response team, so everyone knows where we can find what we need.”
Downtown business owners also want the city to consider closing Monterey Road to vehicle traffic if it floods, as the wake from passing motorists Oct. 13 pushed standing water inside their doors. But Morgan Hill Public Works Director Jim Ashcraft said if the flooding is that bad, it would force the closure of Butterfield Boulevard, and closing both downtown north-south connectors would cause traffic problems.
Tuesday’s flood preparedness meeting was scheduled jointly by the city and water district in response to the Oct. 13 flood and the water district’s seasonal flood awareness campaign that began last month. Officials from both agencies will review flood maps, discuss the cause of the October flood, and how to respond more adequately.
“We’ll be talking about how to prevent that in the future, and the answer will be to get the (Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection) project built,” Ashcraft said.
The project which would widen Llagas Creek through downtown would allow heavy runoff to bypass Morgan Hill via the creek instead of collecting and rising on streets, residences and other structures. Planned since the 1950s and coordinated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project has been stalled for decades due to a lack of funding for the $130 million estimated price tag.
On Wednesday, U.S. Congressman Jerry McNerney, who represents the district which includes Morgan Hill, sent a letter to the Corps to urge quicker action on the Llagas Creek project. The project is currently in the planning phase, and McNerney has helped secure $242,000 in funding allocated this year.
“Completion of the Llagas Creek project is essential and will provide critically needed flood protection to an estimated 1,100 homes, 500 businesses, and 1,300 acres of agricultural land,” wrote McNerney in the letter to the assistant secretary of the Army’s Civil Works division. “Constructing Llagas Creek flood prevention infrastructure is essential to the safety of Morgan Hill residents and the long-term economic future of the community.”
The flooding on Oct. 13 displaced about 30 people from an apartment building on Bisceglia Avenue, caused minor structure damage throughout town, and broke a sewer main on Monterey Road south of Morgan Hill that spilled 40,000 gallons of raw sewage on Ludewig Ranch.
Steve Boyce, owner of the Morgan Hill Tobacco Company, said he has empty sandbags ready to fill and pile up in front of his door if another flood happens. The floor at his shop received minor damage as a result of the Oct. 13 flood.
He wishes authorities would hurry up with the Llagas Creek project.
“If we’re flooding all the time, then fix the problem,” Boyce said.
Discuss flood protection
WHAT: Joint community meeting with city and water district
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8
WHERE: El Toro Room, Community and Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Rd.
Safety tips before a flood
-Prepare a family disaster plan. Make an emergency kit for your home and for your car with emergency supplies such as a flashlight, batteries, water and non-perishable food.
-Learn how to turn off utilities to your home and keep your car’s gas tank full so you won’t be stranded.
-Learn the best route to high ground to avoid flood waters.
-Purchase flood insurance.
During a flood
-Be aware that flash flooding can occur and move immediately to higher ground.
-Log onto www.morganhilltimes.com and tune to radio stations KCBS (740 AM) or KSJO (92.3 FM) for emergency information, traffic updates and instructions.
-If you must evacuate, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
-Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.
-Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground.
