Look Who it Was Random video

New Development Causing Heavier Flooding?

99 views · Published 22 January 2013 · 2:01 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

by Alyssa Spirato   As rain continues to come down, tensions continue to go up for many residents throughout our viewing area.Not only has the rain caused slick roads and damaged yards, it's also taking a toll on how much flooding some of you are experiencing. But some residents we spoke with say rain hasn't been the only problem.For one Ringgold family, they're saying new businesses nearby are to blame for their waterpark of a backyard.Mary Hakes says during the summer they spend most of their time in one of of two swimming holes across the street on Reeds Bridge Road.But this much rain isn't the swimming hole she had in mind. So you can imagine her surprise after numerous days of continuous rain, her backyard turned into a mini water park.In 2009 I think it was, it flooded and we were just absolutely couldn't believe it because it had never done that before, says Hakes.The home has been in the family for decades, a home that she says her mom and dad worked so hard to keep up.Now, the buck stops with her and she's left with a mess to clean up. She's not naive to the fact that when it rains, it floods. But she says she's never seen it like this.The reason? She blames it on new development nearby on Battlefield Parkway that's causing the water to switch directions and run right into her house. She knows it can happen anywhere, but just wishes it was somewhere else, and not in her backyard.In order to put up the big stores, the Walmart, that has taken up quite a bit of the property. They have caused all of it to flood, says Hakes.When she took over the property, she believed the home wasn't in the flood zone.But says in 2009, after the new businesses popped up the flooding has become more frequent. She knows every city needs to grow, just not this way.It makes me upset to think that they destroy homes in order to bring in. I mean, I realize we need businesses, but not at the expense of destroying houses, says Hakes.Hakes says her family offered to try and clean out the creek across the street, but was told by city leaders they weren't able to. We tried reaching city officials both by phone and in person but were unsuccessful.

More from this channel