Earl Bullard, who lives on Baucom Avenue, says his neighborhood finds itself under water each winter because of poor drainage. Recent rains that have much of the county’s low spots under water have brought the problem back to the surface.
Photos provided to The Robesonian by Bullard show large swathes of water along Baucom and Nealy avenues off of Pine Log Road, encroaching on homes and pushing trash back into plain sight. Bullard says this has happened each year for about six or seven years, and that the water often stands for a month before receding.
Bullard said flooding this year has been the worst yet. The water in his neighborhood now has been there for about a month, although it had begun to recede before last week’s heavy rains. His neighbors' yards are flooded, too.
“When I got home yesterday my yard was flooded and there was trash in it,” he said Thursday morning.
Bullard contacted county Commissioner David Edge, who represents the area on the county Board of Commissioners. Edge, saying his hands are somewhat tied, suggested residents set up a drainage association and try to raise money to address the problem.
“That plan has failed due to the other residents not having money to assist with but everyone in our neighborhood pays taxes for this kind of thing and it shouldn’t take place,” Bullard said in an email. “… I am willing to do my part and extra. Our community just wants the county to do what is right, and for the residents not to have to live in these conditions with children.”
But Edge says residents need to take it upon themselves to find a solution.
He points out that property taxes can’t be used for drainage problems and the county doesn’t benefit from income taxes.
According to Edge and County Manager Ricky Harris, the county is not allowed to work on private property. Edge said the Department of Transportation may be able to address the problem, but that no residents have asked him to reach out to that agency.
“… It’s a typical problem in Robeson County, we all have water in our yards,” Edge said, noting the county is prone to flooding because it is low-lying.
Bullard has contacted Gov. Pat McCrory’s office about the issue and is awaiting guidance from the state. He also plans to bring it up during an upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting. If the roads become unsafe to pass, Robeson County Emergency Services would step in, Harris said.
Bullard would like to see the county drain the ditches, dig them deeper or divert the water to a nearby swamp.
Edge said he has heard complaints about flooding in the area before, as well as in Forest Acres, where he previously helped residents set up a drainage association. The group raised money and hired someone to dig out drainage ditches in the area. Because the association was a nonprofit, Edge was able to contribute to the fundraising with his discretionary funds. The commissioners each receive $30,000 a year that they can designate for such purposes.
“I see that as the fix for Robeson County,” Edge said.
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