Tackling Eygelshoven flooding
On June 29, Eygelshoven was hit by severe storms. About 140 millimeters per square meter fell in two hours, equivalent to about fourteen buckets.
"With more extreme weather on the horizon, shelter capacity must be increased. In this way we can minimize the inconvenience to the residents of Eygelshoven in the future," said Alderman Tim Weijers (Public Space). Together with the Limburg Water Board, the municipality of Kerkrade has set to work on this energetically.
What exactly happened on June 29?
The sewer system could not withstand the large amounts of water and as a result, the water sought a way across the street. Existing water storage facilities proved to be too small and the Gravenweg discharge on the north side of Eygelshoven could not handle the water. It entered the core of Eygelshoven from Waubacherweg and Putstraat, resulting in major damage to properties due to water entering. For the residents of Eygelshoven an extremely annoying and unpleasant situation.
Investigations
Two studies have now been launched to look at solutions to the water problem: What can be done about flooding in the short term and what in the longer term.
Short-term measures
Measures taken in the meantime or to be further explored in the near future:
- The traffic circle on Waubacherweg is provided with a different superelevation (cross slope) so that the water is directed to Putstraat and no longer runs towards Veldhofstraat.
- We are lowering the level of the Rimburger road.
- The walk-in from the Put Street to the Vlootsgraph will be improved.
- The Water Board is looking at cleaning up and enlarging the buffer at the Hermang quarry.
- We are exploring the possibilities of deepening and widening the Fleet Trench.
Longer-term measures
In the longer term, the two parties are looking at a broad package of measures in rural areas, urban areas and around the water systems to further improve the situation. For example, additional buffering in the Gravenweg discharge basin. Further measures are also being examined to prevent water from running through the small tunnel on Putstraat. In January, the municipality and Water Board will enter into discussions with the municipality of Landgraaf about additional measures.
Together with residents
A group of residents has been formed to serve as a sounding board for the municipality and Water Board. The group contributes ideas and measures are discussed with them.
