Warren County officials recommend buying two flood-prone homes in Stonecrest to expand stormwater basin

Stormwater Director Nikki Kohler told the Warren County Fiscal Court on Nov. 10 that county staff recommends acquiring two repeatedly flooded parcels in Stonecrest Subdivision and converting them into stormwater infrastructure to reduce future flood damage.

Kohler said the April storm left 9–12 inches of rain in parts of the county and that, for these two houses, "the cost for repairs are not necessarily cost effective or beneficial," adding that the county would use the parcels to "do stormwater flood mitigation and water quality improvements." She told the court the preferred approach would be to expand or create a double basin, remove the homes and add native plantings to store and clean runoff.

Why it matters: The properties sit in the Lost River watershed and in karst topography where water rapidly drains underground. Kohler said untreated runoff in karst systems can quickly reach groundwater and treatment is only possible if the county captures and treats runoff before it enters sinkholes and subterranean flows.

Kohler described next steps: contract Commonwealth Engineers (a local firm) to model needed storage volume, prepare construction plans and conduct a formal bid process if the court directs staff to proceed. She presented a proposed schedule that would acquire the property this winter, complete design in spring–summer and begin bidding and construction in late summer or fall, weather and funding permitting.

Magistrates questioned precedent and regional impacts. One magistrate asked whether acquiring homes would set a precedent for other flood-prone parcels; Kohler and public works staff said acquisition is a last-resort option intended for repetitive-loss locations and that properly sited storage could reduce flooding in neighboring areas by storing water before it drains underground. The judge also emphasized the county will aim to avoid widespread property takings: "It is never our first choice by any means to take someone's home from them," Kohler said, adding staff would pursue appraisal and fair-market negotiations with homeowners.

Process and timing: The judge asked staff for appraisal paperwork and asked that materials be ready for review at the Nov. 25 fiscal court meeting. Kohler said the approach depends on engineered design and funding and that the county is coordinating with local partners to better understand karst groundwater connections and water quality implications.

What’s next: The fiscal court did not approve acquisition at the Nov. 10 meeting; staff requested direction to proceed with appraisal and engineering. The court will review appraisal results and proposed acquisition paperwork at its Nov. 25 meeting.

Attribution: Nikki Kohler is stormwater director for Warren County. Josh Moore is a public works staff member who worked with Kohler on the proposal. The judge and multiple magistrates participated in the questions and comments recorded at the Nov. 10 meeting.

Ending: Staff will return to the court Nov. 25 with appraisal and next-step paperwork if directed to proceed.