Colorado Springs residents affected by flash floods find no relief
None of them had purchased flood insurance, which is separate from homeowners coverage, so insurance companies aren't paying. No one declared the storm damage a national emergency, so federal agencies aren't paying. The city denies accusations uncleaned drainage systems are to blame, so it's not paying.
The residents are paying.
The homeowners are footing thousands of dollars in repairs, as many of the rentals on
Those residents renting the damaged properties also are faced with finding a new place to live as repairs are ongoing and at least two landlords on
He had agreed to turn over the home to his 8-year tenants the week before 28 inches of water filled the first floor. He estimates repairs would cost about
Like most others recovering after the flood, Elbe said he regrets not getting flood insurance, but had long thought it wasn't an option because he didn't live in a flood plain.
The misconception is common among homeowners, according to the
The NFIP offers separate policies for up to
Because
Still, most homeowners forgo the extra cost -- and protection -- because the risk is so low.
According to the
During that flood, 3,698
Statewide, there are 22,749 policies, RMIIA data shows.
But the flood map doesn't always show true risk, said
Those victims had dually been hit by wildfires, leaving the area especially vulnerable to flooding, Herrera said, but the fact is,
"Low to moderate flood zones are still just that, flood zones," Herrera said. "It doesn't mean the water is going to stop at our lines."
Residents aren't convinced the wild weather is to blame.
They say stormwater drains designed to route water away from their properties failed because they city hadn't been cleaning them. Within minutes, the drains clogged, forming a river of water topped with hail that busted down property and broke through basement windows, flooding homes.
The next day, the city was out cleaning drains and sweeping debris from the street.
"They hadn't come to clean out the drains in I don't know how long, so it had nowhere to go," resident
Public Works Operations and Maintenance Manager
The system isn't designed for that, he said.
But that doesn't mean nothing can be done to prevent future damage, according to city officials
Speaking through city spokeswoman
"We are certainly responsible for maintaining the stormwater system and if something needs to be repaired we will address it," the staff said in an email.
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