Columbus to spend $2.6 million on flooding

Despite objections from a Columbus councilor, the city will move forward with plans to spend $2.6 million to study flooding in neighborhoods.

In addition to the flooding study, checks totaling some $320,000 will be mailed this week if some property owners sign waivers not to sue the city for flood damage that occurred between Jan. 1 and April 20. The money is part of a one-time flood grant approved May 12 that could pay up to $12,500, including $10,000 for inside structural damage and $2,500 for personal property.

Deputy City Manager David Arrington said Tuesday requests for proposals will go out for engineering firms to study Robert E. Lee and Artillery drives, Levy Road and Victory Drive, Albion Way, Oakland Park, Breeds Hill Loop, Joy and Cusseta roads. With poor street drainage, some of the areas had more than 5 feet of water inside structures during heavy rains earlier this year.

Columbus Councilor C.E. “Red” McDaniel said it’s a waste to spend money on flooding when officials already know the areas will flood.

“We know areas are going to flood,” McDaniel said. “I don’t understand why we have to have someone tell us. We already know they are going to flood.”

The city has no control over the rainfall or runoff, but has built watersheds to control flooding. “We build watersheds. They cost a lot of money,” McDaniel said. “If we didn’t have watersheds, we would have problems.”