WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Woman battles supervisors over flooding

Woman battles supervisors over flooding

By Julie Straw - bio | email

SUMMIT, MS (WLBT) - "Look at all the water just splashing out of here.  It was up in here," said Dorothy Hinton sweeping water out of a dresser.

Hinton's home in Summit is soaking wet after flood waters rushed through every room Sunday and this is not the first time.  Nearly three weeks ago high water cost her $4,000 in repairs to carpet and furniture.  Some keepsakes were destroyed.  "Bibles and things like that, they are all ruined," said Hinton.

"I've never seen anything like it before," Missy Robinson said.  She witnessed water coming over the road into Hinton's home.  "I was scared to even cross over here.  It was like it was going to the house over there then I saw a little bit over there."

Hinton blames the flooding on a culvert that's too small.  "The culvert can't handle it, it comes through all this ditch and comes across," said Hinton.

She has begged the county board of supervisors to replace it with a larger pipe.  By Tuesday afternoon the county installed a new one and also increased the size of the ditch.  Some of the supervisors believe the real problem is in Hinton's back yard with a creek.  A letter from the county engineer recommends changes to the culvert, but adds this disclaimer; it would "not in any way decrease the frequency in flooding of the residence from the creek."

"They're saying the whole problem is from this branch behind my house, but yet this water is coming across the road," said Hinton.  She now wants the board to reimburse her for damages to the house.