In a wide range of floods from last year’s hurricane, tampa officials are in a hurry to make good preparations before the rainy season this summer. The emergency feeling is wonderful. However, it would be wise to take a step down and bring more order of unrealistic reactions.
Hurricane’s floods from Helen and Milton caused a wide range of devastations throughout the region, and the residents of the tumens, of course, called for help from the city council. City authorities acknowledged that the failed pump stations contributed to the flood. This includes a neighborhood that further furious the residents who have been destroyed.
There are several works in the tumper, but the improvement of the main rainwater costs tens of millions of dollars and it takes years. Also, floods do not respect the jurisdiction. The suburban growth of united Hills rugged counties also affects the city’s drainage pattern.
Therefore, it is good to set the baseline of where the city is before the tumper is overwhelming. What is the condition of the rainwater system in the tampa? Where is our taxes for capital projects and maintenance? Where does flood control fall as a budget priority compared to police, housing, and parks? And what are the cities doing to support the community making decisions based on more information about this important infrastructure?
stock. Policy creators and the general public need to better understand what the rainwater system of the tumper is, and how well the system is for the population, growth, and the rise of threats due to climate change. there is. Is there a better connection between existing drainage facilities and new technologies that can maximize the ability of the system that holds water? Is it necessary to focus more on catching and reusing rainwater rather than piping rainwater in the bay? Is a new drainage and storage pond required and available? In short, a comprehensive strategy to guide the decision in the long term is required.
Maintain. Residents have flooded the council members for several months in other examples of broken drains, grown grooves, dark vert, and desolated rainwater systems. It is not a new thing, but Helen and Milton have revealed the dangers and foolishness that we cannot maintain the system we have. Tumper requires a better way for regular maintenance, a process to execute it, and a better way to prioritize cost -consuming repairs. Taxpayers should not be expected to fire more for new projects and personnel, until the existing system works as designed.
Overlook. All information is necessary in a format that people can easily access and understand. The city publishes a quarterly rainwater report and daily maintenance figures on the website, but the data does not provide a clear overview of the system or how to measure this infrastructure execution method. The city needs to publish a regular report on the state of the rainwater system in the tampa. This must point out the progress, failure, and improvement plan and timetable. The staff must give the written document, not a report to the city council. Discussing this process more transparent promotes the accountability.
Some of these steps have already been done, but it’s time to formulate these fragmentary improvements into a completely new way of thinking. Some propose that the rainwater department will be promoted to an independent department. There is no problem if it raises your office profile. The important thing here is a better plan, a follow -through, and communication. The city also needs to guarantee that the staff has a large storm and an emergency expertise and an emergency response plan.
Please spend your days with Haze
Please subscribe to a free Stephinely newsletter
Columnist Stephanie Hayes thinks with you every Monday and share emotions and interesting businesses.
You are all signed up!
Do you want more free weekly newsletters on the reception tray? Let’s get started.
Check all options
The tumper will benefit from the overall reviews of the floods of last year, which is expected to be later this year. However, protecting the coastal community from a dangerous flood governs 101. Improvement of flood control of tampas begins with the lack of current defense in the city, and solutions include simple changes and more expensive corrections. Start by maintaining your current system better and building it from it.