Three residents apprised the Badin town council of a flooding problem during the council’s regular meeting Nov. 13.
Richard Aldridge, Sherrill Mullis and Meredith Stinnett brought up the same concern.

Aldridge said his property on Nantahala Street has suffered, noting he’s lived in his home for 45 years and never saw it flood three times during that period, but it’s flooded that many times in the last month and a half.

Despite his efforts to keep the area clear for water to drain, the problem has continued, he said.

Mullis agreed, saying the water runs down the hill to an alley, where it flows to the bottom of a hill and stalls trying to exit through two drains that are insufficient for removing that amount of water.

Stinnett has a beauty salon in town which has flooded three times, preventing clients from entering, she said. She had to move one woman’s car from the area due to flooding, she said.

“Her car would have been ruined, if I had not gone and gotten in her car and moved it the day of the flood,” Stinnett said. “I opened her door, water was running in — it was a problem. I can’t run a business that way, and I’ve been here for five years.”

Town Manager Jay Almond said both men’s homes are on opposite ends of a block. The issue of the drains may be compounded by a cracked terracotta pipe that was sleeved, shrinking its effective diameter. He said Badin has experienced “two extraordinary rain events” recently, as well.

Town Property Maintenance Supervisor Wayne Carter said the tree may have cracked the pipe, while Almond theorized it may have broken during work in the area.
Carter said a tree “growing over a storm grate” also adds to the issue. He and Almond noted overgrowth along the line dividing the property is also likely preventing the water from draining effectively.

“The tree really needs to go,” Carter said. “I’m telling you, it’s growing right over the storm drain. If it goes, it’s going to wipe out everything.”

Councilman Larry Milano said he’s noted other properties in Badin have flooded more frequently and blamed a stunted curb for causing the problem, saying water simply flows off the road and onto properties. Rather than having the asphalt removed and replaced, some areas have been re-paved, raising the height of the road, council members noted.

The council agreed to contact the state regarding the short curb on state-owned roads and the county about the sleeved pipe to seek solutions.
Town Hall will be closed Thursday and Friday. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 11.

Imari Scarbrough is a freelance contributor for The Stanly News and Press.