Radnor BOC discusses storms, flooding
said. “And
all the resources, the fire department, (and police) were absolutely stretched to the limit. And we didn’t get the worst of it. Compared to Upper Merion, they got really hit hard…Local businesses, township property, residences were damaged, ranging from minimal to substantial.”
The township had activated its emergency response center and later the BOC passed a resolution to declare a disaster and the township sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf. Also, community meetings were held to help residents apply for help.
Since then, all police officers, along with fire fighters and some public works employees have been trained on water rescues and water danger.
“Last year our officers had no water equipment, nothing…I actually had water up over my pistol belt,” said Dietrich. “I finally realized after I had the training how actually dangerous that is. And several officers were out there in even deeper water getting people out of cars and things of that nature. So, we tried to figure out what would be the best solution for us to protect our officers if indeed they had to go out and how could they equip themselves.”
“Anywhere we can take our road show we go… (We) talk about flood safety, what you can do to stay alive, have respect for water,” said Dietrich. In addition, all police cars are equipped with two floatation vests, one for the officer and anther for the person being rescued, along with a rope throw bag and ring buoys for saving someone in water too deep for an officer to go into.
They are also looking into getting a federal government surplus vehicle at little or no costs that can navigate flooded roads.
And they will be putting up signs to show how deep water is, in areas like underpasses that flood, Dietrich said.
Zienkowski said they are still looking into the mechanical arms but have some concerns.
Board President Lisa Borowski asked about solar powered warning signs like Sea Isle City, N.J. has. Zienkowski said that “people drive through police tape.”
She also asked about directing people to wait out storms on areas of high ground, like at the high school. Zienkowski said those can change. In the most recent storm, the southwest quadrant of the township flooded and it never did before.
“Ithan Valley Creek was like whitewater rapids the water came close to the road the erosion is significant in that area…if not addressed we’re going to end up losing that road,” he said.
Commissioner Richard
Booker complained that the BOC continues to give waivers to its stormwater ordinance to allow more impervious surface.
“It’s so disturbing to me…like an ocean barrier island we’re putting gup signs and yet we still won’t enforce our stormwater (ordinances). It’s so disheartening…I don’t see how those signs are going to help property values…” He suggested that the
township condemn houses that repeatedly flood.
Radnor Fire Co. Chief Michael Maguire favored the signs, saying, “There’s a 100 percent chance when every somebody calls 911, I or one of my fire fighters or EMTs is going to go in and rescue them.”
In a related matter, Tom and Mary Jo Heckman, a couple who live in the Newtown Square section of the town came to the meeting to talk about how their house, which never before flooded, was now under siege by raging water
from storms since the small Summit Hill dam was breached at the behest of the state Department of Environmental resources last December as a requirement to a developer. They are concerned that even more damage will occur if the Earle’s Lake dam, which holds back five acres of water, is breached, as has been proposed by the Green Countrie condominiums, which owns the dam.
Steve Norcini, township engineer, said a study by Carroll Engineers found that the permit the condominiums
submitted to the state that would permit that dam to be breached is deficient.
“We need to get Green Countrie to get the dam operational,” Norcini. “The level of the dam is where the spillway is.” The township has also enlisted state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-165th, to help, he said.
There may be a way to lower its water level through a valve that is now under water, he said. Booker suggested installing a pump to lower the water level of Earle’s Lake.
Mary Jo Heckman suggested that Radnor file suit against the condominium board to force it to reduce the water level of the lake.
“This is one that shows the bureaucracy…at the state level,” said Zienkowski. “The state seems very disinterested in this, which is a shame. Because the removal of that dam will be very impactful not only to the residents who live there but also down stream of that, all the way down to Darby-Paoli Road, which again they (the DEP) don’t seem very
interested. If you were around when the hurricanes came in ‘11 and ‘12 to see the impact to the homes there is absolutely incredible. “
The Army Corps of Engineers has declined to intervene at this time until there is an action plan, he said. But there is a concern about the potential collapse of the dam.
The township has a conference call with DEP on the dam set for Sept. 3, Borowski said.
“It is a tough maze to go through,” said Norcini about the DEP.