Florence Co. neighbors question whether SCDOT is doing enough to stop flooding in the community

FLORENCE COUNTY, SC (WPDE) — Tina Adams, Christi Gibbs Stone and Bertha Clark have lived along the 5900 block of East Old Marion Road in Florence County for many years.

They said they love their community but hate the fact that for the past eight years they have had to deal with flooding.

We’re just trying to protect everything we have,” Clark said. “Things aren’t good right now because everything is changing because of the water. I always feel like I need a boat. So I can go out just in case. If I get the chance.

Neighbors said the flooding problems started with Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and believed it was caused by ditches along the road. Neighbors said the ditches could hold water for weeks.

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This water that’s standing here today came here from the rain when we had rain two days ago and it’s still there on the ground,” Adams said. “And you can’t even drive the mower lawn mower on it because the lawn mower sinks into the ground.” ground because it’s so soft. My house has enough water damage and no one seems to care. I guess they make fun of them because they don’t live here. If you had to live here and see this, you’d do something too.

Gibbs Stone said last August, during a storm, a tree fell on his house. She believes the ground was so wet from ditch water seeping into her yard that the tree fell on her house.

She had to get a brand new house and doesn’t want to lose it to another major flood in her community.

Neighbors said they have contacted the SC Department of Transportation (SCDOT) countless times over the past eight years about the ditches, but it has been to no avail.

“We tried for six years or more. Even during my weekly trips to the maintenance office, I talked to people in person and made numerous phone calls. I even sent letters. And I got no response,” Adams said.

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Someone has to be accountable and I think I’m not trying to blame anyone, but I know how things should be done,” Clark said. “We pay our taxes. I think we should be supported. I think they should at least come out and observe what we’re talking about.

ABC15 contacted SCDOT about neighbors’ concerns.

The ministry sent the following response:

SCDOT crews have been in contact with the property owner and have scheduled maintenance.

Adams, Gibbs Stone and Clark hope SCDOT keeps its word and resolves the problem as soon as possible.

They fear that if the ditches are not cleaned and the drainage system repaired, they will face another problem.

“Mosquitoes lay their eggs in the ground. You can see the mosquitoes on the ground, especially behind my neighbor’s house here, and here in the woods behind us,” Adams said.