Durham flooding: Victims ask for accountability, look for solutions

For neighborhoods along the Eno River in north Durham, this week was a 1-2 punch of storms, flooding and mid-July grade heat. 

It all started Sunday night when some were woken up in the middle of the night by rescue teams pounding at their door. Since then, it’s been touch-and-go with some taking their concerns to city and county leaders about the recent flooding. 

The Old Farm neighborhood is right on the line between city and county emergency management jurisdictions. On Monday, floodwater reached the window line of many of the homes in this low- lying community.

For many people, it’s not only the loss of their homes and belongings, but also frustration. Robert Dean has lived nearby for the last 40 years. On Monday, he said this was the worst flooding he’s seen – topping the flooding from Hurricane Fran in 1996.

Violent Covington is experiencing flooding for the first time, because this wasn’t previously considered a flood zone. She said she didn’t have adequate warning and she worries about this road only having one entrance. Ultimately, she wants more consideration from the people in charge.

“Not be only concerned about putting up a house to get the
dollar, but be concerned about the people that’s already there,” Covington said.

In this area, some homes sit within Durham city limits, others are in the county. WRAL News reached out to leaders from both, asking questions such as did an Alert Durham notification go out? What is the city and county doing to help people financially? What changes, if any, is the city and county considering to protect citizens in the future?

Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams said over text that city staff are working to put together an updated report on drainage and infrastructure. If you need resources, you can reach out to HEART, Red Cross or crisis cleanup.