$14.3 million project to help Highland neighborhood flooded in 2010

Aug. 26—Days before Christmas 2010, a 100-year storm event dropped 10 inches of rain in some places, causing the worst flooding in Highland's history.

In the East Highland Village neighborhood south of Greenspot Road and east of Church Street, an overflowing drainage system led to mud pouring into homes, partially burying vehicles and covering streets. In that neighborhood alone more than 200 residents were evacuated and 30 houses were declared uninhabitable.

A $14.3 million project that recently received a nearly $3 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency aims to help prevent such flooding in the Village, said David Doublet, assistant director of the San Bernardino County Public Works Department, which oversees the flood control district.

"The Elder Creek Channel Project between Old Greenspot Road downstream to the confluence with Plunge Creek is designed to protect against a 100-year storm and will increase flood protection in this area of Highland," Doublet wrote in an email.

A news release from the office of Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, said the flood control district has received $2,999,999.61 from FEMA for the project.

The remaining cost will be paid with flood control district funds from area property taxes.

"This investment in our local infrastructure will help prevent future flash-flooding events, protect property and help keep residents safe," Aguilar said in the release.

There have been no flooding issues in the channel since 2010, Doublet wrote. The flood control district has installed k-rail barriers, and during the rainy season it stages equipment onsite, monitors the waterway during storms and performs emergency work as needed.

"The 2010 event included large back-to-back storms that inundated upstream facilities with mud and debris impacting the downstream channel," Doublet wrote. "This project will help diminish the impacts that occurred in 2010."

Construction, contingent on environmental permits, is expected to begin in spring 2022 and last about a year.

Redlands Daily Facts and Press-Enterprise reports contributed to this article.

___

(c)2021 the Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, Calif.)

Visit the Redlands Daily Facts (Redlands, Calif.) at www.redlandsdailyfacts.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.