A new tool for assessing your flood risk:
Many people in the Great Lakes region have experienced the misfortune of finding water in the basement during heavy rain.
Now a free online tool called ‘My Rain Ready’ can help homeowners assess and address their flood risk.
Marcella Bondie Keenan of the Chicago-based Center for Neighborhood Technology says users answer questions about their home and landscaping. The tool estimates their flood risk and provides custom recommendations.
Keenan: “So things as simple as making sure their gutters are clear and making sure that the street sewer grates are clear.”
Or more advanced actions such as replacing a concrete patio with a garden that will absorb stormwater, and help make a home more rain-ready.
Hear More:
Listen to Marcella Bondie Keenan describe some of the reasons for flooding in the Chicago region:
Get Schooled:
- Give the My RainReady tool a try for yourself.
- Check out Chicago’s Basement Flooding Partnership program.
- Learn more about CNT’s extensive RainReady program.
The Fine Print:
- This segment was produced with Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future.
