Burlington’s Public Works Director briefed the City on Flood Preparedness yesterday.
Steve Hoambrecker says that his department has learned quite a bit about flood mitigation after some harsh lessons over the past few years.
In 2014, flood levels took the department by surprise when the river crested well above the expected level.
“When we went into it…the river was [expected] to crest at 18 feet. We got five inches of unexpected rain, so when we started on Monday, trying to face this, we ended up working in the river,” Hoambrecker said, “We want to try to avoid that.”
Hoambrecker says the key toward preventing future floods is to stay ahead of expected flood levels, overprepare for flood season, and of course; “Hope the river stays below 16 and a half feet.”
