KCBD INVESTIGATES: The cost to clean up flood damage at Citizens Tower
Paying the cost of flooding at Citizens Tower By Blair Sabol | May 13, 2021 at 8:24 PM CDT - Updated May 13 at 10:19 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - The damage was done two months ago, but we are just now learning how much those March flood waters are going to cost the city of Lubbock.
On, March 12, 2021 a little over an inch of rain fell in a short period of time, causing a massive surge of water to somehow breach the basement of the new city hall building at Citizens Tower.
This month, KCBD news obtained city records showing the amount already spent on repairs and replacements. Repairs and cleanup have already cost the city more than $460,000, with more to come.
Lubbock Utilities building suffered substantial damage in flood
The City of Lubbock says it is still assessing the damage from the flooding that occurred Friday night in the basement of Citizens Tower and the adjacent City of Lubbock Utilities Customer Service building.
Matt Rose, spokesperson for Lubbock Utilities, which includes Lubbock Power & Light, said the Lubbock Utilities building suffered substantial damage. At Citizens Tower, City Manager Jarrett Atkinson says the flooding reached the city s Information Technology offices, which are located in the basement of Citizens Tower, and the elevator shafts.
The water reached about 18 inches above floor level in some areas.
City details response to winter storm
City of Lubbock addresses winter weather response By Tori McGee | February 23, 2021 at 6:56 PM CST - Updated February 23 at 6:56 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - The City of Lubbock Street Department dedicated more than 4,000 man hours to keeping roads safe last week, according to the City.
In addition, other departments worked around the clock dealing with energy and water issues.
During the City Council work session Tuesday, City Manager Jarrett Atkinson detailed exactly how some city departments responded to last week’s historic weather.
The Emergency Operations Center was active for 184 hours.
“As we ran the EOC, of course the goal we had was to support all the city operations and public safety, coordinate resources and our partners, and maintain awareness of what was going on around us,” Atkinson said.
With continued sub-freezing temperatures, the City of Lubbock says it has seen an influx of reports related to citizens and children walking on frozen playa lakes.
During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, city leaders urged citizens multiple times to stay off the playa lakes.
Fire Chief Shaun Fogerson says the dive team has rescued two dogs from the playa lakes. Lubbock City Manager Jarrett Atkinson said they ve received numerous calls on Tuesday to get children off ice. It s not safe, Atkinson said. No matter how cold it gets tonight, it s not going to be safe.
The playa lakes may have a thin layer of ice on the surface, but they are not thick enough to support the weight of people or pets. All citizens are strongly encouraged not to attempt to walk or skate on the frozen playa lakes.