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Invisible work prevents flooding in the D.C. area

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON — Intense weather is expected to hit the D.C. area on Monday. Afternoon and evening storms could bring hail, damaging winds and flooding. The effort to prevent roads from flooding involves more than you might realize. All over town is a series of mini storm water pumping stations — along underpasses, and along low-lying flood prone roads. “We have 16 of them spread around the city,” says John Lisle, chief of external affairs for D.C. Water. On Monday, Eastern Avenue flooded at the Addison Road overpass. The pumps tripped and stopped working; once reset, the road cleared quickly. Some stations have back-up generators in case pumps fail due to a power outage. Even in locations where pumps are working, at times, they may not be able to keep up with floods from heavy rainfall. Sewers in the D.C. area serve a dual purpose: They carry storm water and waste from people’s homes. Though sometimes, those pipes get overwhelmed by heavy rain. When that happens, waste water can back into people’s homes and discharged to the Anacostia River, Rock Creek, the Potomac River or tributary waters. There’s a long-term fix underway, Lisle says. There are huge tunnels being built — 100 feet underneath the city — that will bring sewage water down to Blue Plains to be treated. That project will take 20 years to complete.  

 

 

 

What should be in your emergency kit

By WTOP Staff
Every home should have an emergency kit on hand for when storms and power outages occur. WTOP recommends you print it out this list ahead foul weather and power outages. Supplies to have on hand:
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