CM McDuffie & staff roll up their sleeves in Bloomingdale flooding response efforts

Press release:

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: (202) 724-8028

Councilmember McDuffie and staff roll up their sleeves in Bloomingdale flooding response efforts

Jeannette Mobley, Constituent Service Director for Councilmember

Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), working with DC Water in relief efforts

after heavy flooding in Bloomingdale

Councilmember Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5) called for an “all hands on deck effort” in response to the recent series of flooding in Bloomingdale after yet another rainstorm on Friday, July 20. The residents received exactly that from the Councilmember’s office.  “We felt the frustration of every resident in Bloomingdale and neighboring communities,” states McDuffie.  “We then coordinated a more robust plan with DC Water and the Department of Public Works (DPW) to address a number of the ill-effects from the storms.” 

The Councilmember and his staff joined representatives from DC Water and DPW to get the word out about available resources for residents in need of assistance with preventing and reducing flood damage to their homes.  In addition, many members of Councilmember McDuffie’s staff personally distributed sand bags to senior citizens and residents who had difficulty finding transportation to RFK Stadium, the original pick-up location for the sand bags.  “Initially, the sand bags were available at the stadium,” notes Jeannette Mobley, Constituent Service Director. “Councilmember McDuffie advocated for a more convenient way for residents to gain access to the sand bags and as a result, DPW delivered sand bags to four additional sites in Ward 5.”

A meeting has been scheduled to discuss the concerns of Bloomingdale residents regarding the recurring flooding in the neighborhood.  Councilmember McDuffie is asking for more details and steps from DC Water’s “Bloomingdale Action Agenda,” which is a plan produced by DC Water to address the effects of runoff and flooding.  Mr. McDuffie is also requesting that Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Water explore the implementation of green solutions and other civil engineering options to prevent the flooding from happening in the future.  Further, he is asking DC Water to expedite its plan to offer rebates for the installation of back flow preventers.

The meeting will be hosted by the Bloomingdale Civic Association on August 4 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 160 U Street NW.