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Kalamazoo Residents Asked To Clear Drains Around Their Homes

Posted at 8:37 PM, Feb 20, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-20 21:35:08-05

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – After a heavy winter snowfall, warmer temperatures are creating flash flooding in Kalamazoo, leading road commissioners to ask residents to clear the drains around their homes.

For 20 years, Curtis Weekley has lived at his home located on Westnedge Avenue, which is one of the busiest streets in West Michigan, and also serves as the gateway into Kalamazoo.

On Thursday, Weekley spent his morning digging the snow and ice out of his drain.

This is the very first time that I have ever come out here and done this,” Weekley said. “If you don’t do it, all the snow we got …the record amount of the snow and the rain that’s melting its gonna flood.”

The county road commission said their asking residents to take on the responsiblity because they simply don’t have enough man power to clear every drain.

By noon on Thursday, several cars could be seen weaving in and out of their lane to avoid the flood waters.

It’s not just something that’s happening in Kalamazoo. On the FOX 17 Facebook page, Kimberly Williams wrote, “In Muskegon, can’t get to my dads without a truck. No one has dug the drain out at the end of his block.”

The road commission said the water will often times find its way to a drain by traveling beneath the snow. In instances where it doesn’t, they said they will come out and clear the drain once the flooding occurs.