Berkley Issues Flooding Info, Including Claims Procedure
(City of Berkley Press Release, Aug.12, 2014)
The City of Berkley and the entire Detroit metro area have been impacted by the historic rainfall event that occurred during the evening hours of August 11, 2014. According to local rain gauges, approximately 4.5 
inches of rain fell in about a 4 hour timeframe. Some media outlets reported even higher values. We typically see this amount of rainfall over the course of 2 months.
Department of Public Works crews have been working to make sure that streets are passable, removing debris from the right-of-way. Restricted covers are in place on many catch basins to regulate flow into our combined sewer system. Please do not remove or dislodge these covers as it may cause additional issues for our system. Like many of our neighboring communities, it appears the severe rainfall has overwhelmed the sewer system.
Homeowners who have experienced flooding or backups should contact their insurance company immediately for assistance and direction. There are also restoration contractors that can provide cleanup services.
Public Act 222 of Public Acts of 2001 is the Michigan law that clarifies the conditions of when municipalities become liable for sewer backups. Anyone making a claim for damage or personal injury must prove that the public sewer had a defect. To pursue a claim against a governmental agency for damage resulting from 
basement flooding, the claimant must file a written notice of the claim to the agency within 45 days of the date that the damage was discovered. Claim forms are available on the City’s website or upon request by calling the City Manager’s Office at 248-658-3350. NOTE: People in other cities can check their City’s website or contacting their local City Hall.
Please also be advised of the following:
- The water is safe to drink.
- Trash pick-ups will continue according to the normal schedule.
- Additional trash pick-ups may be scheduled and, if so, updates will be posted to the City’s website.
Please monitor the City’s website often for updates to this flooding event. Thank you for your patience as 
we continue to provide services to Berkley Residents.
For more info see the City of Berkley website at http://www.berkleymich.org/.
For other flooding stories see:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/12/the-day-after-the-flood-hard-work-loss-and-community-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/11/oakland-county-issues-floodwater-safety-precautions/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/08/11/oakland-county-pounded-by-rain-swamped-with-flooding/
