Series of stories on causes and cures for flood damage
Feb 21, 2010 – Feb. 28, 2010
By Heather Vogell, Margaret Newkirk and John Perry
The story: The Atlanta region’s fractured planning and negligence with runoff-control infrastructure left it particularly vulnerable to flash flooding, even in relatively light rains, and was clearly evident after the heavy rains in the fall of 2009. State and federal governments weren’t themselves following the rules they imposed on private property.
How we got it: After flooding overwhelmed metro Atlanta in 2009, the AJC asked the state Environmental Protection Division for records and data on infrastructure and on run-off in the days leading up to, and during, the flood. The reporters got data from the U.S. Geological Survey and planning records and records from the hard-hit city of Austell.
The results: After it became clear that Austell suffered the region’s worst flood damage, the city opened up the restitution process, allowing more homeowners to apply for federal and state flood assistance. The city also got federal money to help evaluate its planning processes related to storm water and floods.
