The City has failed to improve our storm water drainage system. Flooding can be cyclic, and for some time flooding was not an immediate problem. We have experienced a dramatic increase in flooding in the last few years. As time permits, we will address those problems here.

2012 Flooding

Fighting floods: Ann Arbor officials lay out plans for stormwater upgrades, residents balk at costs 9/24/12

Ann Arbor officials temporarily suspend footing drain program in response to neighborhood concerns 9/20/12

Ann Arbor launches citywide analysis of stormwater system in response to neighborhood flooding 8/23/12

Ann Arbor residents urge city officials to address flooding problems on city's west side 5/11/12

Churchill Downs residents blame city of Ann Arbor for basement flooding. 4/20/12

Firefighters injured, apartments evacuated as storm blows through Ann Arbor. 3/15/12

Allmendinger Park Flooding (3/15/2012) on Flicker


2011 Flooding

Ann Arbor investigates failure of stormwater system at West Park; residents concerned about floods. 8/21/11


2010 Flooding

Stormwater runoff swamps Ann Arbor neighborhoods - June 8, 2010

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For now, the following information is offered for those who have had their basement flood.

We have noticed that the City is getting a little careless about their duties under Public Act 222 of 2001. Sure, you can talk to your insurance agent...sure, you can be appreciative of the name and phone number of a "disaster recovery" firm...but most important is to notify "the owner" of the system that is presumably is floating your basement furniture around, within 45 days of the occurrence.

The City then has an opportunity to inspect the damage and make a restorative offer. Many jurisdictions like to wait long enough that the property has already been cleaned up, and then say, "we don't see a problem here...,"  Our advice is to take lots of pictures, make a lot of notes, keep real close track of any expenses. For most incidents in Ann Arbor, we suggest that you notify both the City and the Water Resources Commissioner, since there's overlapping jurisdiction in the storm drainage system and the County Drains, The City is pretty much on the hook for the Sanitary Sewer System.

For a while after PA 222 passed, the City was handing out a pretty well vetted brochure. They must have run out, or, they're in the box with the "Guy C. Larcom Municipal Building" aluminum architectural letters.