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Residents say removed storm drain restriction caused repeated basement flooding; town engineer to inspect
Summary
Residents David Todd and Tony Bland told the Fletcher Town Council that removal of a concrete restriction in a storm culvert has increased runoff and led to repeated flooding of homes on Wilky Way; the town said an engineer from McGill Associates will inspect the site before any repairs.
Resident David Todd told the Fletcher Town Council that his basement flooded “for the third time in 30 years” after a concrete restriction in a storm culvert below Windsor Forest was removed, and asked the town to restore equivalent detention or make improvements on his property to return conditions to what they were before the device was taken out.
“On Friday, my basement flooded again for the third time in 30 years,” David Todd said, describing a concrete restriction he says previously slowed stormwater under the street and held back a significant volume that now flows more quickly downstream.
Tony Bland, a neighbor who lives below Todd on Wilky Way, said the removal has increased flood risk for his crawl space and backyard. “During the storm last week the water in our backyard was ankle deep,” Bland said, adding that he and his wife have been diverting water and moving material at their culvert to reduce flow into the yard.
Town Manager told the council staff had found a device in the drainage culvert within the town-maintained right of way, that the device was removed, and that McGill Associates—Fletcher’s engineering consultant—was scheduled to inspect the site. The manager said staff would wait for the engineer’s assessment before recommending whether the town should reinstall the restriction, add temporary deflection measures, or pursue other corrective work, and that homeowners could be asked to grant easements to allow repairs.
The council discussed the limits of town responsibility, noting the town generally does not make improvements outside the public right of way. Council members nonetheless agreed to have McGill’s staff evaluate the immediate condition and potential temporary measures because the removal appears to have increased volume and speed of flow onto downstream private property.
The council did not take formal action at the meeting; the manager said he would report back after McGill’s inspection.
Next steps: McGill Associates is scheduled to inspect the Wilky Way culvert and adjoining properties and will provide recommendations to the council and staff about temporary or permanent repairs.
