MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis is preparing for a gorgeous weekend ahead, but after the sunshine will likely come rain next week.
Many in flood prone areas are keeping an eye on the forecast and hoping for the best.
“The backyard just floods, on the street and the back yards. You have to pull the carpet out in the back room,” said Whitehaven resident Bernice Briggs.
She has lived in her home nearly 40 years.
Friday, she was bracing for several inches of rainfall that Memphis could get next week.
Residents on Santa Clara said in major rain events, water flows from the interstate all the way down the hill into their yards.
“The water came up on the streets like a river,” Briggs said.
In fact, one man added this drainage ditch to his yard to help water flow out.
Public Works Director Robert Knecht said the city is working on strategies to improve problem flooding areas.
“We’ve been evaluating all these problem areas on a larger scale to develop comprehensive solutions that are affecting property owners,” Knecht said.
He said there are a number of crews who inspect and clean out clogged storm drains and that there will be crews standing by next week to respond to street flooding calls.
“To remove those obstructions that occur because materials and garbage and trash get in there and cause obstructions,” Knecht said.
Briggs and her neighbors just hope Whitehaven will not be a washout.
The city said that if residents wish to report extremely clogged storm drains, they may call 311.
