Editor,
I was able to glean this priceless gem from the city’s disaster preparedness website: “If there is a possibility of flooding move immediately to higher ground.” Armed with this wisdom I am ready to meet El Niño head on, mano-a-mano. Unfortunately the canyon isn’t ready. For reasons, mentioned in my last letter the drainage channel cannot carry the volume of water for which it was designed . The city was informed of this deficiency more than a quarter century ago by the OC Environmental Agency. The city is well aware of its obligations and liabilities and it appears that they have chosen to do nothing.
A brief published by the Association of State Floodplain Managers Foundation as to liability for structural hazard reduction measures said this…..successful liability law suits for government liability have involved blockage of flood flows or drainage by roads, bridges etc.
This is precisely what the OC Environmental Agency spelled out in its study of June 1988 regarding the canyon drainage channel.
A year from now in the absolute clarity of hindsight the city may wish that it had done more to protect life and property losses. I sincerely hope that this is not the case.
Michael Hallinan, Laguna Beach
