Nancy Run firefighters rescued 8-9 vehicles stranded along Willow Park Road, where an angry Nancy Run Creek overflowed. In addition, they pumped water out of twenty basements. But the damage was more serious throughout the Township.
According to Kutzler, about $20,000 was spent for manpower and equipment. In addition, the bottom of Sculac Road, near the Lehigh River, will need to be re-paved. But the big ticket item, at $75,000 is the repair of a one-acre sized detention at Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, behind Farmersville Elementary School. Its liner needs to be replaced. In addition, a dozen sinkholes have sprung up in the now empty pond. "We have to repair that," stated Kutzler, who added that the pond is Township-owned.
The Township will apply for assistance from FEMA, through Northampton County Emergency Management Services.
Commissioners also heard several complaints from Township residents about storm water run-off, particularly along Willow Park Road. In 2006, Lafayette College conducted a study of an 800-acre drainage area along Santee Road. Dr. David Brandes, who supervised the this water investigation, concluded that 80% of the drainage was coming from Bethlehem.
(Above is a picture of Nancy Run Creek, raging close to Willow Park Road, the day after Hurricane Irene.)
How is it that the Township owns a retention pond?
ReplyDeleteIt's a detention pond. Given the surface water problems, I could understand why the Township owns it.
ReplyDeleteLet me guess, the developer made the generous offer of giving it to the twp so they aren't liable for what the taxpayers now have to pay for...
ReplyDelete"The Township will apply for assistance from FEMA,"
ReplyDelete...which is, by the way, broke.
Tell Charlie and his friends on both sides of the aisle it is time to charge some more under that newly raised credit card limit.
-Clem
This most recent rainstorm has dropped as much as the hurricane. Is this an economic stimulus package from nature for public works employees and the overtime their getting?
ReplyDeleteNature is pro union!
The Bethlehem stormwater conspiracy is gripping, cemented with facts and analysis and rational thought. I'll tell you what, Township residents should be glad people believe that's the cause and not all the development in the Township has allowed over the last 20 years. Don't be silly.
ReplyDeleteReading with interest,
The Apollo Moon Landings conspiracy
Bernie why didn`t Lehigh County apply for aid like Northampton Count did ? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteI believe LC will apply, too.
ReplyDeleteI think the deadline has passed.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I'll check.
ReplyDelete"Dr. Brandes outlined an 800 acre drainage area for the Santee detention basin of
ReplyDeletewhich 80% is located in the City of Bethlehem."
Perhaps it was an error but the post implies that Bethlehem's drainage comprises 80% of the runoff into a Township detention basin when it is the basin itself which is 80% in Bethlehem
Correct the drainage basin along Santee is 80% in Bethlehem, and leads to problems in Beth Tp. Perhaps my words were inartful, and for that, I apologize.
ReplyDeleteDranage in Bethlehem twp what a joke. Walnut Street turns into walnut river every time it rains hard (between 8th and 9th Streets)the water turns the corner on 8th proceeds about 125 feet into an empty lot. Since 8th street was paved a few years back the messed up big time. Thw water flows back into the yards on 8th St.We need storm drains along Walnut to take care of all this water
ReplyDelete