open #203910
Drainage or Runoff
728 W Allen ST
- Case Date:
- 7/1/2025
Excessive water from drainage creek has engulfed vehicles and properties caused by improper size culvert and drainage path South of address.
Excessive water from drainage creek has engulfed vehicles and properties caused by improper size culvert and drainage path South of address.
Serious flash flooding in our neighborhood last night. At least 7 residential lots were affected on W Allen (6 north side of the street, 1 south side) directly west of the drainage creek that runs alongside Patterson. This has been an issue for several years, but is happening with increased frequency and severity. I've owned my house since 2012 and experienced 1 instance through 2019. Since then we've had floods covering much of my front yard at least twice a year. Last night was the 3rd instance this year and the worst I've seen. Water level reached my knees while on the sidewalk. Earlier this year, one neighbor's car was totaled due to flooding. Another had water rise up above floor level in their house a couple years ago. Previous attempts to clear brush, debris, and small blockages in the creek have had no impact. Rain garden bump outs were installed on Allen. They seem to have no impact as they run east up Allen whereas the source of flooding is the creek to the west. Utilities staff working on our block in the past have suggested culverts were too small to handle water flow. Reading the 2022 stormwater master plan, I wonder if installing a detention pond nearby might help. Instead of attaching photos, here's a video link taken at the peak of flooding last night: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q84v292p5nk4e2a6dnqo4/Video-Jun-29-2025-9-46-38-PM.mov?rlkey=aouaax4cfgu6nnr8pvieuterj&st=o88w184x&dl=0
Cable hanging down on sidewalk near corner of W. 1st and WylieEuclid. Duke came and said not theirs prob phone or internet cable. Checked with one internet company (Comcast) and 14 day wait. The cable is on the sidewalk and a hazard in many ways. It seems to be possible related to the movement and placement of construction poles during demos and renovations to the East.
Severe flooding occurred again tonight, June 29, 2025, worse than any prior event here since we moved here 4 years ago. Water rose rapidly and reached homes well beyond the creek. The creek now flows over the entire road southward. I had to warn neighbors up to three houses away to move their cars. I believe the house across the street has flooded. A neighbor called the city Friday (two days ago) asking for culvert clearing, but no one came. No progress has been shared on the engineering case either, despite past assurances. This is a FEMA floodplain, and repeated failures to maintain infrastructure are now causing widespread risk. Photo attached. More documentation available.
In the parking lot and around the pickleball courts you have Johnson grass growing taller than me and I'm 5'2 that's going to seed. This is a very invasive weed and needs to be pulled and the seeds thrown away as soon as possible or you'll be fighting it for the next 20 years. I pulled some tassels from around the courts, but it's also near the parking in the shade on the end of the pickleball courts close to the basketball courts.
Nothing major has happened yet, but there is a very large pitbull being kept at this house that has aggressive tendencies towards other dogs. Several times, it has gotten away from or pulled down its owners. In one of these incidents, the owner managed to tackle the dog before it reached our neighbor's dog. I am a neighbor and am very concerned. All of the surrounding neighbors we talk to have independently expressed concern and have warned us about the dog. We have a dog and a new baby. I do not trust this animal, and I do not trust the owners' abilities to keep positive control of it.
My property at [address] flooded again on June 18, 2025, continuing a long-standing pattern of stormwater failures. This area lies within FEMA Zone AE. I have lost two vehicles to flooding and continue to suffer property damage and personal risk due to repeated flood events. The creek that repeatedly overflows lies just off my property line, meaning I have no ability to access, maintain, or control the waterway that causes these floods. Despite this, my home bears the damage. City crews have occasionally cleared culverts, but no long-term mitigation appears to have been performed. This remains a clear public hazard. I am formally requesting inspection and corrective action by the City under Title 13 of the Bloomington Municipal Code, which mandates maintenance, inspection, and prevention of stormwater harm. I have also contacted FEMA Region V to report this issue and request federal documentation. Attached to this report is one photo showing flooding on my property during the June 18, 2025 event, after I had to relocate my vehicle to prevent further damage. A parcel map showing the property location in relation to the adjacent creek is also available upon request. I ask that you please confirm this report is logged and provide a response or timeline for action.
My property at [address] flooded again on June 18, 2025, continuing a long-standing pattern of stormwater failures. This area lies within FEMA Zone AE. I have lost two vehicles to flooding and continue to suffer property damage and personal risk due to repeated flood events. The creek that repeatedly overflows lies just off my property line, meaning I have no ability to access, maintain, or control the waterway that causes these floods. Despite this, my home bears the damage. City crews have occasionally cleared culverts, but no long-term mitigation appears to have been performed. This remains a clear public hazard. I am formally requesting inspection and corrective action by the City under Title 13 of the Bloomington Municipal Code, which mandates maintenance, inspection, and prevention of stormwater harm. I have also contacted FEMA Region V to report this issue and request federal documentation. Attached to this report is one photo showing flooding on my property during the June 18, 2025 event, after I had to relocate my vehicle to prevent further damage. A parcel map showing the property location in relation to the adjacent creek is also available upon request. I ask that you please confirm this report is logged and provide a response or timeline for action.
Vehicle Orange jeep on city property grass
A couple small potholes on W. Allen St. just east of the intersection with Fairview. This whole intersection should be carefully checked since there will be an art installation going in on June 14 via ESD. Thanks.