Resident warns flood risk after NCDOT’s temporary fill of Wonderland Drive hole; town says DOT will investigate

A resident raised urgent concerns about a persistent drainage hole on Wonderland Drive, telling the council the problem has lasted more than two years and that a recent short‑term fill by the North Carolina Department of Transportation has likely blocked a drainage pipe, worsening runoff into neighborhood yards.

"Now, it's been going on two and a half years…they put dirt in the hole, and what they've done now is they've made it worse," the resident said, describing sandbags he had used to protect his home and warning he would pursue legal action if his house floods. He said adjacent drives have washed out and urged the council to secure a permanent fix.

Town Manager Adam Mlam responded that NCDOT treats Wonderland Drive as an NCDOT‑maintained street and that crews performed a short‑term fill while scheduling an investigation. "They were doing that as a short‑term fix and then they are going to come back out and investigate it and see what they need to do from there," Mlam said, adding that DOT had indicated it would return within several days.

Mlam warned that if major repairs are needed and utility conflicts require opening the roadway, DOT and the town would coordinate traffic impacts and possible temporary closures. Town staff said stormwater funds exist and the town could perform work with DOT permission if DOT does not act. Council members committed to staying on the issue and requested the resident remain on the agenda until resolved.