The City of Bainbridge has survived numerous floods over the years and our most recent, which occurred in December of 2015, was very unexpected.

The resulting damage was discovered during the last week of December. A 30-inch intake pipe located just outside of the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) was undermined. The weight of the water caused the pipe to collapse and take on sand, which led to a multitude of problems inside the plant. It also caused severe damage to one of the ball-fields, located near the plant in the Reynolds Sports Complex, and was rendered unusable.

In total, the WWTP was inoperable due to sand and other flood related issues for seven days. The city was fortunate to receive immediate aid from neighboring cities and counties, as well as from elected officials at both the state and national level.

We also received assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA). On Thursday of last week, field representative Frank Maneer of GEMA presented a check to the City of Bainbridge for $170,

 

265.63 for disaster clean-up and rebuilding of the affected ball-fields.

City Councilman Phil Long, City Councilman Kregg Close, Assistant City Manager Roy Oliver, Administrative Services Director Lisa Taylor, and Decatur County Fire Chief Charlie McCann accepted the check.

Assistant City Manager Roy Oliver stated, “We are privileged to have the partnership of FEMA and GEMA when an unexpected act of nature occurs, and we are humbled by their support.”