FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about the flooding on Covert Run Pike:
How often does Covert Run Pike experience flooding?
While it varies from year to year depending on the amount of rainfall, Covert Run Pike floods anywhere from one to four times annually, particularly in late spring and early summer.
How serious is the flooding?
Floodwaters can range in depth from a few inches to several feet.
Who is affected by the flooding?
Everyone. Each resident of Covert Run Pike has been affected by the floods, but certain residents living on the street’s south side are most gravely afflicted. Some homes with inverted driveways are exposed to a toxic mixture of rainwater and raw sewage reaching depths of several feet in their basements and garages.
Additionally, Covert Run is a busy thoroughfare which connects Bellevue to Dayton and Fort Thomas neighborhoods, so commuters who use the street daily (as well as those parents and schoolchildren who access Grandview Elementary from its rear entrance) are also inconvenienced when flooding makes the street impassable for hours at a time.
Furthermore, Covert Run’s story can serve as an example to any resident—of Bellevue and beyond—who wrongly assumes that elected and paid city officials will support and respond to them in times of need. This can happen to tax-paying, law-abiding citizens anywhere.
Who is responsible for fixing Covert Run Pike?
Reports issued by the Sanitation District and the City of Bellevue show two separate sources for the floodwaters–the creek that runs parallel to the street on the south side, and ineffective storm/sewage drains located at the base of the hill leading up to Fort Thomas.
To date, no roadwork has begun, and flooding still poses a regular threat to some citizens of Covert Run Pike.
What will the repairs entail?
Project details are still not 100% solidified, but we know that costs are expected to exceed $1 million in newly secured funds. According to a project outline issued by SD1, the repairs “will involve the installation of 1,500 ft. of new storm sewer (various sizes) and 1,200 ft. of 18-inch and 21-inch sanitary sewer. Due to the large amount of underground utility work in the road, a full-depth pavement section replacement has also been included in the project scope.”
Residents hope to be advised of a timeline/schedule for the project at the July 7 public meeting.
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7:29 am on June 23rd, 2009
The flooding isn’t the main issue; it’s what we’re being flooded with. Here’s what happens: During heavy or prolonged periods of rain, the creek behind the street begins to flood. This has gotten worse over the years because of erosion from the hill behind us filling in the creek bed. When the creek floods, the water backs up through the old and damaged storm sewers. To make matters worse, the sanitation lines below the street are old and can’t handle that amount of flooding. This causes the creek water to mix with sewage from the sanitation lines, causing our street to flood with what is essentially raw sewage. Besides the storm sewer backup, water/sewage also floods basements by coming up through drains, sinks, toilets, etc. Also, the force of the water sometimes blows off the manhole covers, creating an explosion backed by several hundred pounds of pressure. The entire situation is dangerous and can happen in a matter of minutes.