From: Leland Trapp
Columbus
On Feb. 7, I was blocked from the entrance to my home by high water at both Rocky Ford Road and North Marr Road. This experience has inspired me to write this letter to the editor, which has inclusions from John Boldt’s letter of Feb. 16.
I read with interest John Boldt’s letter printed in The Republic’s Feb. 16 edition. Anyone who’s home is located in the eastern section of the city, within gunshot sound of Haw Creek, should study this letter carefully. It relates to their situation. If their home was not flooded by the 2008 flood, they were fortunate. They may not be so fortunate the next time Haw Creek overflows.
My home was flooded in 2008, caused by several conditions that remain today. Please reread these words of Bold’s letter, because they are significant. "The existing problem with Haw Creek is that the water course has significantly accumulated sediments resulting in a greatly reduced capacity and in places it is full of fallen trees and debris. It has many areas of eroding stream banks and has two bridges that are considerable undersized."
If this information has not arisen one’s interest, read on for the additional information provided by Mr. Boldt. "If one had been standing on the railroad spur bridge on the southern end of Haw Creek on the night of the flood and looked north, one would have seen numerous buildings and cars flooded. But if one has looked south to the East Fork White River floodplain, one would have noted that the water level was about 8 feet lower."
Just think: How many homes could have been saved from flooding if Haw Creek had been reduced by 8 feet north of the railroad spur bridge!
The described flooding combinations have existed prior to, during and since the 2008 flood, so why has no action been, or being, taken to correct these situations? It appears that not enough pressure has not been put on city representatives to have these flooding conditions corrected. Residents should contact the mayor and city council members and request that they be advised when the Haw Creek flooding problems will be resolved.
