07-02-08: Stormwater big topic in Carolina Shores

(c) 2008 Brunswick Beacon

By Laura Lewis, Staff Writer

CAROLINA SHORES—Stormwater issues are on commissioners’ minds, especially now that it’s hurricane season.

At a monthly commission workshop Monday, town administrator Linda Herncane said the Shingletree Canal is still a major concern since it will be the first place affected by heavy runoff in the event of a big storm that could cause flooding.

She and town commissioner Jack Csernecky plan to meet soon with Brunswick County emergency services director Randy Thompson.
“We have a lot of issues we need to get clear in our minds, the what-ifs and what happens,” she said.

If a major storm hits, “we’re going to need places for people to stay,” she said. “We’re going to need water and ice. I think it should be a town concern.”

She said they would be checking with Thompson regarding sirens and a reverse 911 system.

Commissioner Gere Dale said now is the time to be proactive to prevent water accumulation, adding county commissioner Phil Norris said he would keep the town apprised of any progress with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about a Shingletree diversion study.

“You know as well as I they [the Corps] move at glacial speed,” Dale said. “We need to wait till the study is completed.”

In the meantime, he said the town detention pond should help with runoff. “I think we’ve done about all we can do, as long as we keep monitoring things happening right now,” Dale said.

Former commissioner Don Hart, speaking at the workshop, stressed it is imperative the town do all it can in the new fiscal year to correct the problem and place stormwater on the front burner.

Town engineer Amie Drucker is scheduled to do a study.
He also said he believes the town should take responsibility for swales and culverts under people’s driveways.

“That all should be resolved,” Hart said. “It’s a major issue, because when that storm comes, it’s going to be a catastrophe. It will happen someday.”

Laura Lewis is a staff writer at the Beacon. Reach her at 754-6890 or at llewis@brunswickbeacon.com.