Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Drainage Flooding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saint George residents urge action on chronic drainage problems during Dorchester County public comment
Summary
Residents told council that poor drainage and overgrown ditches caused repeated flooding at properties in Saint George and asked the county for a maintenance plan and immediate action.
Residents in Saint George told Dorchester County Council on Oct. 20 that chronic drainage problems and overgrown ditches caused repeated flooding at homes and that they want the county to establish a regular maintenance schedule.
Miriam Hutto, who said she lives at 275 Country Club Boulevard in Saint George and was speaking about her mother’s property at 300 South Pearl Avenue, described an August 2024 flood at that address. “I’m here tonight asking county council to give urgent attention to the draining and flooding issues in Saint George and Upper Dorchester County,” Hutto said. She told council the water that flooded her mother’s house “came from Reed Street and McClure Street” and that the ditches at those locations “are not moving” and are blocked by debris and overgrowth.
Hutto said she emailed photos of the damage on Aug. 30 to county council members, St. George Town Council, DOT contacts and state representatives and that she received a response only from Representative Robbie Robbins. She said one property owner gave the county easement rights in February 2006 but that the county “has never once cleaned the ditches.” She asked the council for “a clear plan, a regular maintenance schedule, and action to begin immediately.”
Another frequent public commenter, Tommy Fagan of Summerville, used his allotted time to press the point that all council members vote on countywide matters and that telling residents to “speak to your county councilman” is not an adequate response when countywide votes affect all districts. “You all vote for everything countywide. I think you're all my county councilman,” Fagan said.
Why this matters: Residents said standing water and clogged ditches are producing recurring property damage in a growing county. Hutto asked the council for a maintenance schedule and immediate remediation; council members did not announce a specific follow-up during public comment but county staff later noted projects and permitting related to drainage in the capital projects update.
