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Bucksport resident says county damming shifted floodwaters, asks council to investigate
Summary
Steve Howell told council he believes recent county‑built dams redirected floodwater into the Little Lamb Road/Bucksport West area, alleged county exaggeration of projected flood heights and said officials "broke the law," asking the council to intervene and accept his documentation.
Steve Howell, a Bucksport resident who spoke during public input, described years of local flooding and said he has attended meetings with the Army Corps of Engineers, Horry County emergency management and other agencies. He said the county recently built four dams that he believes have diverted water from Bucksport East into Bucksport West, worsening flooding on his side of the highway.
"They built 4 dams, and they have channeled the water straight straight to our community," Howell said. He said he had photographs of the dams and that, after a recent storm, county messaging overstated predicted flood levels: according to Howell the county said 36 feet while his cited DNR and NOAA figures showed 24 feet. He later said county officials "broke the law" and urged the council to review the matter; the chair asked him to leave his paperwork with the administrator.
Howell also claimed the county's actions had redirected floodwaters in a way he considers unlawful and requested council assistance. The council did not announce a formal investigation or staff directive during the meeting beyond asking Howell to provide his materials to the administrator for follow up. The county's emergency management office or other staff did not provide an on‑the‑record reply during the public comment period.
