Show All Answers

1. How can I reach your 3-1-1 Customer Call Center?

If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the city of Hampton, please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

2. How does the city prioritize their response to a flooding or stoppage call?

Main roads take priority in a situation of flooding. Arterial streets are then checked followed by residential neighborhoods. Backyard flooding is checked as soon as possible, but is lowest priority.

3. If my neighborhood floods can I assume it is from a blockage in the drainage system?

Not always, heavy rains are going to cause some flooding. We ask that you be patient and let the flooding subside and drain normally. A major storm such as Hurricane Floyd was an example of when Newmarket Creek could not handle the incoming water volume so major flooding occurred.

4. If our drainage system is maintained and in good working condition, why does it flood in Hampton?

The drainage system is designed to handle normal amounts of rainfall during the year. Torrential rains, hurricanes, or northeasters are going to cause minor to major problems depending on the severity of the storm. Also, remember that our city is relatively flat so drainage is a problem under abnormal conditions.

5. Is there anything that can be done to stop flooding and stoppages in the drainage system?

The city is continually looking at ways to improve the drainage system. Costs are very high, there are property issues to deal with, and none of us wants to pay higher taxes in order to fund improvements unless we are directly affected by flooding. Constant maintenance of the system is the most cost effective way to insure major problems are avoided as much as possible.

6. What do drainage crews do to prepare for heavy rains if they are forecast?

Drainage personnel have the city divided into six sections which are monitored by teams running routes to check for known problem areas. When heavy rain is forecast, these routes are run prior to the storm's arrival. Also, during a heavy rain storm or hurricane the crews are either on-call or working 24 hours a day to handle any emergency flooding problems.

7. What if the yard drain is in my backyard or an area that has been fenced off in the easement?

Make sure the yard drain is free of debris before the rain begins. Please remember that the drainage crews cannot trespass on private property to open or clean the yard drains without the property owner’s permission.

8. Who handles flooding and stoppages on private property and shopping centers?

The individual private property owner is responsible for any flooding or stoppages on their own property, not the city.

9. Whom should I call to report flooding and drainage system stoppages?

Call the 3-1-1 Customer Call Center. If you are calling from the City of Hampton, simply dial 3-1-1 on your touch tone or rotary dial phone. From outside the City of Hampton please dial (757) 727-8311. The call center is available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week to assist you.

10. Why is my street flooding?

During heavy rains, streets will flood. Our crews do everything possible to clear up problems as quickly as possible. To have the crew check the location concern, contact the 3-1-1 Customer Call Center. An advocate will double-check to make sure our crews are already aware of the problem and get to it as soon as possible.