November 19, 2009

The heavy rain has caused significant flooding on many Charlottesville roads.

Charlottesville public works crews have been out all Thursday morning trying to clear drains to get flooding to go down.

According to Steve Lawson at Public Works, they've taken about three dozen calls about flooding water.

Some of the trouble spots we've seen and heard about are High Street, Meade Avenue, Millmont Street, West Main Street, and areas around Belmont.

Lawson says the biggest problem is that the fall leaves are in the roadways, making the road even slippier. Also, the rushing water is moving the leaves over the sewers and drains, therefore clogging them.

Public works crews are around Charlottesville physically removing leaves from the grates.

"It's not like you can clear the grate and forget about it. You have to check it again at a later date," says Lawson, Public Service Manager of Public Works.

Lawson said if you're noticing flooding in front of your house, try removing leaves from the drains. It could make a difference.

"We can't be everywhere every day," said Lawson. "It might be a good idea to get out, rake the leaves off the structure in the streets in front of your home."

Once the rain lets up, crews will clean the grates and sewers once more.

Charlottesville Police were also out directing traffic and setting up flares in various trouble spots through out the city.

"It's where the water was deep and they didn't want people driving through it with the possibility of flooding the car out or getting stalled," said Lt. Gary Pleasants of the Charlottesville Police Department.

Pleasants says some of the worst flooding happens on Ivy Road, Old Ivy Road, Alderman Road, 14th Street and University Avenue and Hydraulic Road.