By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
Monday afternoon’s gullywasher of a thunderstorm temporarily turned Burlington into the land of a thousand lakes.
Well, maybe 100.
Many streets flooded with 4-6 inches of water as about three-quarters of an inch of rain fell in about a 40-minute period.
City of Burlington Department of Public Works Supervisor Dan Jensen said three-quarters of an inch of rain was measured for Monday, which possibly included more rain later in the day.
However, rain gauges differed throughout the city. Burlington Area School District Superintendent Peter Smet said his home – on the west side – received three inches of rain.
The National Weather Service – which records at the Burlington Airport – reported one and a quarter inch of rain.
“It was just the intensity,” Jensen said. “How fast you get the three-quarters of an inch has more to do with flooding than the amount of rain.”
The DPW received just two reports of flooded streets – Dodge and Schimmer – but others in the area did fill up quickly as well.
In addition, the storm sewer on Robert Street filled up completely, which then lifted a manhole cover off the street and turning it into a temporary fountain.
Jensen said the manhole cover had been put back on by the time the DPW got out there, and while the rain was dramatic, the DPW had relatively little to do.
He also said residents who cleared off gutter grates that were blocked helped out.
“I think they did the exact right thing,” Jensen said. “If they have a storm water inlet, clean off the grating.”
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