I have read recent letters with regard to the flooding Aug. 25. I live on Bayard Avenue in Cajun Cove. I have been one of the most vocal supporters of the recent Bayard project and its investment. We are far better off as a result of the project than before.
However, I must disagree with recent statements being made by some that the flooding was a result of the weather. That is simply not factual. I think it is important, due to the size of the investment and the scrutiny it continues to bear to be factually correct. I offer the following facts as observed and reported by myself out there that evening and an invited participant in meetings afterwards with Town Hall. There has been no publication to date by any official of the Town of Dewey Beach with regard to the investigation, currently being conducted, as to what happened and why.
The new pumps malfunctioned with alarm conditions present (cause yet to be determined) which created a backing up of the surface and storm water seeking the lowest point (Bayard Avenue bayside) at Cajun Cove. The water levels rose quickly with nowhere to go while efforts were under way to reset the pumps. Many cars had water levels higher than the door sills as my photos showed. Many cars were able to be moved to higher ground. One car in particular, a Porsche Boxster, did not get moved quickly enough and has now been declared a total loss.
Other property owners suffered water damages inside their garages. Once the pumps were reset and began running again, the water levels receded quickly over the next 30-45 minutes as many have heard the mayor state. Consequently and by definition, had the pumps been operating as designed, the storm water and surface water runoff would have been adequately managed. This system as designed had the capacity to handle this rain event. Yes, electro-mechanical devices fail and in this case the pumps malfunctioned. The town is conducting a post-mortem to understand why the pumps failed and work to prevent it from happening again hopefully. These are the facts as we understand them today.
I absolutely standby the Bayard project and the investment made. However, the facts matter and the facts count. Let's learn from what happened and make the necessary electrical, mechanical, and process improvements and set aside the political overtones please. I lost my car in all this. I care little about anyone’s politicizing of this unfortunate set of events that affected people’s real property.
Mark Allen
Cajun Cove
Dewey Beach
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