City of Bloomington Submits Official Flood Damage Assessment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2008

For more information, please contact:
Danny Lopez, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-CITY, lopezd@bloomington.in.gov

Bloomington, IN - After two weeks of evaluating damages to City property caused by this month's floods, the City of Bloomington has submitted an official assessment of damages to Monroe County Emergency Management Director John Hooker.

Submitted by Public Works Director Susie Johnson, the claim itemizes the impact the flood has had on municipal land, roads, buildings and equipment. The damage listed in the report totals $349,026.91, nearly two-thirds of which pertain to those sustained by Bloomington's roads and bridges. Despite the additional costs the City will incur as a result of cleanup and repairs, Mayor Mark Kruzan said that the City will meet these challenges without affecting public service.

"The City faces its own challenges as a result of these floods, and we're working hard to address them while maintaining the same high level of service the community needs and expects," Kruzan said.

Another significant portion of the damages listed in the assessment were related to the removal of debris, particularly around City parks and throughout the downtown. Wind and rain - rain that at one point fell at a rate of 6 inches per hour - tore limbs and pulled leaves from trees and bushes, which despite immediate efforts by Public Works teams, clogged drains and contributed to the flooding.

Bricks and stone from sidewalks and paths were also washed into City streets during the storm, all of which had to be cleared during the flood recovery. Infrastructure at public parks across the city was also damaged, and several streets needed repaving in order to avoid potentially dangerous conditions for motorists.

Nearly all cleanup and repairs to City property have been completed, as crews have been working extensively for two weeks to ensure that the public is safe. One major project still underway is the repair work to the Dunn Street Bridge, which was closed immediately following the storm. Still, officials are confident that the work will be finished soon and that the bridge will reopen, and Kruzan reiterated that public services would not be affected by the new construction demands.

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