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Public Works outlines storm preparedness, pump‑station upgrades and storm‑drain master plan
Summary
Public Works described pre‑storm preparations, recent storm responses, pump‑station upgrades, and a planned update to the city's storm‑drain master plan; staff said debris clogging was a major cause of last week's localized flooding.
City Public Works staff briefed the Long Beach City Council on Feb. 18 about local flood management, emergency storm response and capital investments aimed at reducing localized flooding.
Deputy Director Joshua Hickman told council that most recent flooding incidents were driven by debris clogging in catch basins and the storm‑drain system. Staff said the city cleaned more than 5,000 catch basins as part of pre‑storm preparation and maintained an inventory of high‑volume pumps that can be deployed to low‑lying areas. Hickman said last week's lighter storm produced roughly 1.8 inches of rain across the city, 50 service requests, 18 flooded locations and 12 leaks at city facilities; 16 of the 18 problems recorded were related to debris blocking the system.
Public Works outlined capital projects in design and planning: standby generator installations at six pump stations, improvements at an additional four pump stations, localized pump deployments at Seventh Street/Cedar and Seventh/CHESTNUT, and a comprehensive storm‑drain master plan update (last full update in 2005). Staff described completed projects including 608th Place storm‑drain repairs and a Crest Alley green‑alley pilot that replaced a dirt alley with permeable surfacing to stabilize erosion and allow infiltration.
Council members emphasized the human impacts in flood‑prone neighborhoods and asked about pump‑station siting, routine cleaning frequency and coordination with county and upstream jurisdictions. Staff said the city cleans each catch basin annually (5,800 total) between August 1 and the rainy season and aims to maintain open channels, generators and on‑call crews during storms. The department said funding needs for system upgrades are large — a 2018 estimate put needs at roughly $332 million — and that the master plan update will clarify priorities.
Council expressed appreciation for the multi‑department response — Public Works, Parks, Recreation & Marine, Fire and Lifeguards — and encouraged continued emphasis on neighborhood outreach and pre‑storm cleaning.
