By PEGGY KING
A Cordele Dispatch editorial
Until I saw firsthand the damage to homes following the flood of 1994, I really had no concept of the power of water. That was a learning experience, and I can better emphasize now with people whose property gets flooded.
During the past week there have been examples of flooding throughout the tri-county area. It was nothing like 1994, and hopefully, no water got inside homes. Still there were some apprehensive moments as water surrounded some homes, and a number of roads were left impassable until county and city personnel can do some work on them.
Many of the problems were caused by the sheer amount of rainfall we received in a short period of time. Some of the problems were made worse, however, by practices on adjoining property.
One case in point involves beaver dams that have been built on about five people’s property in Wilcox County. Those dams are keeping the water from flowing on through Rochelle, and it’s backing up and flooding nearby yards.
To those property owners in all three counties who have the ability to lessen the effects of flooding on your neighbors, I challenge you to take action. Be part of the solution rather than continuing to contribute to the problem.
Just think how you would feel if the roles were reversed, and you knew your neighbor could do something to alleviate flooding on your property.
Then maybe you can understand why residents whose property is repeatedly flooded are upset.
(Written by Peggy King on behalf of the Cordele Dispatch editorial board).
