SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (KGTV) — Frustrated homeowners in Spring Valley took matters into their own hands on Wednesday, clearing storm drains they say weren't properly cleaned up by Caltrans.
The neighbors all live on Broadview Street.
Together, they grabbed shovels, trash bags, and ladders to access the drains, telling ABC 10News they didn't want the backed-up drains to cause more flooding on their properties.
Alicia Crow has a drain behind her home. She says she's reported the backup of debris every couple of months. Crow says Caltrans crews did go out to clear the area surrounding the drains on Tuesday but claims they didn't clear the backup beneath the steel grates.
Most of the homes on Broadview were flooded during last Monday's storms, filling homes with several feet of water. Families say they are still cleaning up the damage, and with more rain on the way, they don't want to risk more flooding and damage to their homes.
Within a few hours, the homeowners had cleared several trash bags of debris out of the drains.
The group says they now feel more at peace about the incoming storm on Thursday.
When reached for comment about the resident's concerns, a spokesperson for Caltrans sent ABC 10News the following statement:
Crews have been working across the region to respond to storm damage and clean slot drains, ditches, culverts, and other storm water systems on state property. Caltrans understands the concerns that residents may have about the coming storm. However, residents should not attempt to open any drains on Caltrans rights-of-way. Doing so could result in injuries or damage to the drains, potentially reducing the function of the drain. Caltrans crews will continue monitoring drains, including this specific drain, throughout the storm.
