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Residents press council for faster storm response as flooding, standing water and abandoned homes linger
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Summary
At the Aug. 20 meeting residents recounted Hurricane Debby impacts and ongoing drainage and nuisance problems; Emergency Management reported 101 houses affected and 15 classified as major, and county staff said they are seeking help from city and state officials but lack immediate authority and equipment to fix some drainage problems.
Several Marlboro County residents used the council’s recognition period on Aug. 20 to press elected officials for more help after recent storms and to raise longstanding neighborhood concerns.
Betty Jo Quick, who identified herself with emergency response efforts, told council the county needed a rapid response team to assess damage and deliver necessities after disasters. "The County needed to get a rapid response team to go in and access damage," she said, and urged a group with CERT training to support residents in the aftermath of storms.
Other residents described persistent drainage and property‑maintenance problems: Hennie Buie reported abandoned houses and overgrown yards on East Main Street Extension and asked who her council member is; Debra Lloyd said ditches on State Street were holding water and breeding mosquitos; James Bradley described overflowing septic tanks and flooding that affected neighbors and called for help.
Emergency Management Director Calvin Cassidy briefed council on Hurricane Debby response, reporting that 101 houses were impacted and 15 were classified as major; he said the shelters briefly held a small number of people and that flooding and downed trees were the main issues. County Administrator Wilson A. Clyburn acknowledged widespread flooding and said the county is working with city and state officials on longer‑term drainage solutions such as Crooked Creek, but that the county lacks the equipment, money and authority to remedy all problems immediately.
Policy and enforcement notes: Pearly Lawson and staff reported nuisance ordinance enforcement is proceeding on a complaint basis and that enforcement officers have identified properties deemed nuisances under current ordinances; a meeting with the animal shelter director was planned to clarify contract and enforcement procedures.
What happens next: Staff will continue to coordinate with city and state partners, pursue nuisance enforcement where complaints are filed and hold a community meeting with the Lake Paul Wallace Authority on Aug. 29 to discuss related water and lakeshore issues.