White County A Flood Disaster, Neighbors Desperate For Help

Work can't be done until heavy rain and flooding levels off. Another problem, the equipment can further damage unstable roads. White County Judge Michael Lincoln says this isn't a unique problem, but it's affecting much of the county.

During days of heavy rain, Richard Egan can look out the window and watch his neighborhood flood. He says, "Our yard just fills up with water because the creek and the ditches are not cleaned."

Egan says the creek affects the entire town of McRae. He shows us pictures he took earlier this month while fishing off his back porch. He says the ditches need to be deeper and debris needs to be removed or county work goes down the drain. "They come and grade it again, next rain storm washes it away and all that gravel is down in the ditches and it's all full."

County Judge Michael Lincoln says his office is flooded with calls and they're listening. He explains, "In White County, we're over 30-inches above normal and in our low-lying areas that creates a few problems."

Judge Lincoln says they've already spent more than $70,000 on county roads, straining the budget. They are now receiving 35 percent state aid in reimbursement for the $138,000 expected to cost for current damage, but can't work until the weather clears.

"So it still cost us $80,000 of unexpected budget expense." Judge Lincoln continues, "We have the largest road system in the state, a lot of county road miles and we have a lot of maintenance to do which really stretches us."

Egan says he'll wait patiently until the weather permits workers to deepen the ditches. He adds, "I'm just hoping it gets taken care of because the other people in town would love it too."

Judge Lincoln says road crews will start surveying damage Friday and, weather permitting, they can start repairing roads next week.