Hillsborough Declares State of Emergency, Looks for State Aid With Road Damage

The Town of Hillsborough is under a state of emergency, as recent high waters from rainfall caused road damage in the southwest part of town.

Mayor Jenn Weaver made the declaration on Thursday after the town estimated costs for damage caused to Valley Forge Road last week during heavy rain.

In its release about the state of emergency, the town estimated it got six inches of rain in the 24-hour period between last Thursday and Friday. During that time, Cates Creek rose high enough to wash out a portion of the road, cracking the pavement and exposing drainage pipes. The damage cut off most street traffic from accessing the Buildings FirstSource facility located further down the road.

In its release, Hillsborough said crews have begun making temporary repairs to the road. But the estimated cost of $730,000 to permanently repair the road would represent more than 3 percent of the town’s operating budget and three times the costs of road repairs the town has allocated in its current fiscal year. By declaring a state of emergency, the town can directly request the state government provide funds to cover the cost of those repairs.

Weaver spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck earlier in the week about the road damage and the rain that caused it. She said rain events like last week will continue to happen as climate change progresses, urging all town residents and others to be mindful of their climate impact even as the world faces other challenges.

“These events are going to be more and more common,” said Weaver. “[I’m] just trying to keep the community focused on that all of the intense things happening right now are still in the context of climate change. That can not ignored and it’s still affecting all of our work.”

To read the full release and state of emergency declaration, visit the Town of Hillsborough’s website.

Photo via the Town of Hillsborough.

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