South Florence Home Underwater: A Family’s Struggle with Persistent Flooding
In South Florence, an unending deluge of problems has engulfed a local family. Despite living in a designated no-flood zone, their home has been perpetually surrounded by water, going up to an astounding 19 inches deep in certain parts. Tropical Storm Debby, coupled with a flawed drainage system and a neighboring pond, has turned their home into an island.
A Place They Called Home
Shannon Warner and Devon Shorts knew they’d found their dream home in S. Brandy Circle, South Florence. Tucked away peacefully, the house promised to be a sanctuary for their family. Unfortunately, the rampant flooding in the aftermath of tropical storms has turned this dream into a nightmare. When the Warner-Shorts bought their home, it was enlisted as a no-flood zone. However, water now drenches their front and back yards, turning their home in the aftermath of every storm into an unexpected island.
“This is listed as a no flood zone. I mean, this is beyond flooding,” Warner lamented.
Understanding the Issue
The family believes their recurring flood dilemma is due to a pond in the vicinity coupled with an inadequate drainage system. Richard Coleman, the owner of the pond, agrees with this sentiment. He asserts that the state-owned drains are clogged, which leads to the overflow after every storm. Having lived in the area for the last fifty years, he has noticed two homes in particular that fall victim to this flooding due to a slump in the road which causes water stagnation.
Battling the Tide
Years have passed by and the Warner-Shorts have yet to see any permanent solution. From the South Carolina Department of Transportation to Florence County Public Works and even the pond property owner, the family has asked for assistance but to no avail. Even with emergency management advising them to cut-off their power due to submerged cords, the situation is difficult since one of their daughters is asthmatic and requires a breathing machine.
Waymon Mumford, the Florence County Councilman, feels that the resolution to this problem lies beyond local government control and must be dealt with at the state level. Mumford also adds that the house should not have been built in this location in the first place.
The family has spent huge sums of money in an attempt to alleviate the problem. From building platforms for their pets to bringing in truckloads of soil ahead of rainstorms, all efforts have failed to keep the water at bay. The flooding has rendered two basement rooms uninhabitable and forced the family to rip out the flooring due to mold proliferation.
A Plea for Help
Juxtaposed with the calamity are the health hazards accompanying the floodwater. Otters, beavers, crawfish, even eels have started infesting their property. “When the when the water floods, you go in the backyard right now, you see nothing but oil and gas floating around in the water,” Shorts mentioned.
As conditions deteriorate, Warner waits for justice, desperately holding onto hope. “This is unacceptable and inexcusable to have to live like this. I mean, where can we go? We can’t go outside. You can’t do anything,” she adds.
The family is now urging for immediate action from state authorities. One can only hope their pleas reach the corridors of power swiftly, and measures are taken to save Shannon Warner, Devon Shorts, and their children from the endlessly encroaching water.
