WAVE 3 TV Louisville, KY | Jeffersonville drainage problems take center stage at mayor's flood relief press conference

Jeffersonville drainage problems take center stage at mayor's flood relief press conference

By Shayla Reaves - bio | email
Posted By Mike Dever - email

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN (WAVE) - What started as a call for more federal aid has landed Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan in the hot seat. Galligan wants FEMA to approve aid for the residents whose homes were damaged by the flash flooding on Aug. 4. But some residents say they want to fix the city's drainage problems.  

"It's about time that the government did something to help this area and not just give us lip service," Mayor Tom Galligan said at a press conference on Oct. 1.

Galligan called the press conference one week after FEMA denied Indiana's request for a disaster declaration. It's something Kentucky qualified for and received after the same weather event.

"If you take the criteria of joining us in the Louisville area, we meet the criteria," Galligan said before the packed room at City Hall. "Just because we're in a different state doesn't mean we have to have a whole new set of standards."

Still, residents hit hard pushed for more from their mayor.

"Yes, we should have some federal help, but some of the help needs to start in this city and get these drainage problems resolved," one resident said.

"I've been there 33 years and I have experienced this 33 years now, said James Randolph. Now somewhere, enough's got to be enough."

Galligan said the city has replaced a small pipe with a larger one to relieve water problems in one affected area and plans are also in the works for a canal. They are small steps to improve an aged drainage system in an economy where everyone is strapped for cash.

"We have an antiquated sewer system in downtown Jeffersonville," Galligan said. "We need to deal with it. And we're trying to deal with it."

Galligan said it could cost $150 to $200 million for a new system and the city "could only raise probably $80 to $90 million."

That's still not enough for people who want their flooding concerns to stop.

"There's no excuse," said one resident. "If we had a better drainage system in the city of Jeffersonville, it would prevent a lot of these problems. This is not from the '250-year' rain. Every time it rains, I have water in my home."

Galligan said replacing the system could leave residents paying about $150 on their sewer bills - something he said he's not going to do and people of Jeffersonville can't afford to do.

For now, Galligan is urging President Obama to reconsider giving federal aid to Indiana. Gov. Mitch Daniels and Congressman Baron Hill are also working on an appeal.

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