Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Property owner says solar project grading caused new flooding; county pledges to investigate
Loading...
Summary
At an April 14 Henry County Commission meeting, property owner Jesse Hopkins showed photos and said grading and laydown activity tied to a nearby solar project has caused persistent runoff and flooding at his Highway 18 property; commissioners agreed to gather documentation and contact the project's site manager and contractor to investigate.
A Henry County resident told commissioners on April 14 that grading and construction activity tied to a nearby solar project has caused new, persistent flooding on his property by Highway 18, and county staff said they will follow up with the contractor and site manager.
Jesse Hopkins, who identified himself during the public comment period, brought photographs and described water pooling and drainage changes near his house. "I'm literally pumping out 1,000 gallons per hour right now today," Hopkins said, adding that culverts that never overflowed before have now carried water across the road and into his yard.
The complaint centers on a laydown and equipment staging area for a solar installation, which Hopkins said has compacted about 10 to 15 acres nearby and rerouted runoff toward his parcel. He said the problem started after grading and laydown activity and that his concrete floor has cracked and his basement has taken on water in a way it never did during previous storms.
County staff asked Hopkins for copies of the photographs and agreed to make copies for the file. Commissioners and staff discussed contacting the construction site's yard manager (identified in the meeting as Alan Strain) and the contractor to request information and to try to limit further damage. One commissioner said the county would reach out directly: staff stated they would contact the yard manager and would invite the relevant contractor or county staff to return with documentation if necessary.
Hopkins and several commissioners also discussed possible next steps including site visits and coordination with road or drainage authorities if repairs are needed. The county did not announce any immediate enforcement action at the meeting; commissioners said they would collect evidence, contact the listed site manager and follow up in a future meeting or by staff report.
The county also noted that some township and MODOT jurisdiction may overlap with local concerns and that further technical review (for example, by an engineer) could be needed to determine responsibility and remedies. County staff scheduled follow-up outreach and asked Hopkins to provide contact information and photo files so officials could locate the site and begin inquiries.
