La Quinta hires firm to look at storm drains

Seven months after flooding caused major damage in La Quinta, the city is taking a hard look at its drainage system. The council voted unanimously to hire an Orange County firm to see what can be done to protect homes and businesses if more extreme weather hits.

The city will spend nearly $200,000 for the study on the hardest hit areas.

Residents and business owners are glad to see the city moving forward.

On September 8, 2014, 3 inches of rain in one hour overwhelmed La Quinta’s drainage system causing about $15 million worth of damage.

“It started coming into the house, and before we knew it, a half an hour later, we had 6 inches of water in my house. It was above my ankles. My whole entire house was flooded,” said Matthew Perez.

Perez showed cellphone video of the water in what used to be his living room. The damage was so extensive, Perez and his wife were forced to move out permanently.

“I am very happy that the city is doing something about it,” said Perez.

Orange County firm RBF Consulting will analyze the areas hardest hit and come up with flood protection options for the city.

“This is our first step to changing our standard that we are meeting right now with the county and developing our own standard to insure flood control in the future,” said La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans during Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

The study will be looking at storm drains, like the ones the city required Village Park Animal Hospital to install before they could open up two years ago.

“I remember being really, really upset when they made me spend an extra $100,000 on this building on the construction to do storm drains,” said Veterinarian Kathryn Carlson. “I think that’s probably the reason I didn’t flood.”

But everywhere around her did flood. Carlson was forced to wade through flood waters that morning get to her clinic.

“It was kind of scary. We had one client waiting for us, somehow made it through the barriers,” said Carlson. Barriers, the city of La Quinta hopes, this study will help prevent from having to be used.

“I think it’s totally a step in the right direction. I think they are taking responsibility,” said Carlson.

“I wish it could have been done sooner before the last time, but hopefully, it will help people save their homes in the future,” said Perez.

The drainage study is expected to be complete by September, around the year anniversary of that storm.