Wilson County enterprise proprietor seeks solutions after flooding damages images studio

WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Wilson County enterprise proprietor is asking native leaders to seek out long-term options after floodwater rushed into her images studio throughout Wednesday’s heavy rainfall, inflicting 1000’s of {dollars} in injury and elevating considerations about recurring drainage points in her neighborhood.

Angela Seats stated the flooding was the worst she has skilled within the 9 years she has lived on the property on Nonaville Road.

Water entered her images studio, damaging digicam tools, consumer wardrobe objects and different provides. Floodwater additionally made its method beneath her house, flattening ductwork and leaving her with out air con.

LOCAL FORECAST | Flooding, extreme climate menace for Middle Tennessee continues via the weekend

“I knew I didn’t have flood insurance, so I’m just thinking dollar signs,” Seats stated. “What’s this going to cost me? Am I still going to be a photographer? Am I going to have to close down?”

Seats stated flooding has turn out to be noticeably worse over time. When she first moved to the neighborhood, she stated heavy rain would depart standing water in her yard earlier than shortly draining away. Now, she believes runoff from surrounding neighborhoods funnels towards her property earlier than reaching a close-by creek and Old Hickory Lake, making a bottleneck throughout vital rain occasions.

She stated the problem extends past her property.

“Everyone says, ‘Oh, that place always floods,'” Seats stated. “My thought was, why don’t we figure out a way to fix it? It’s not just affecting me — it’s dozens of families. Let’s try to figure out a way to fix it, not just brush it off.”

Flooding outdoors of Angela Seat’s images studio. (Angela Seats)

Seats’ considerations reached the Wilson County Road Commission this week, the place Commissioner Lauren Breeze requested county officers what choices exist to deal with drainage issues within the space.

During the dialogue, Mayor Randall Hutto stated the county’s position is restricted as a result of the neighborhood is outdoors Mount Juliet metropolis limits in a rural a part of Wilson County, which doesn’t have a public works division chargeable for sustaining neighborhood drainage infrastructure.

“That is an ongoing battle with us,” Hutto stated. “Do we urbanize the rural area?”

POLL: Have you seen a rise in flash flooding in your neighborhood?

Hutto additionally stated the widespread flooding throughout Wednesday’s storms was not solely the results of growth, noting communities resembling Watertown additionally skilled flooding after receiving unusually heavy rainfall.

For Seats, nevertheless, the bigger query stays: What will be performed earlier than the subsequent storm arrives?

Angela Seats (Fox 17 News)

She stated volunteers from her enterprise networking group helped clear mud from the studio and salvage what they may after the flood. While she’s grateful for the help, she worries one other heavy rain might convey the identical consequence, particularly with extra rain within the forecast this weekend.

“I didn’t choose to live in a place that was like this,” Seats stated. “I don’t want it to stay like this.”

County leaders stated they are going to proceed discussing what choices could also be obtainable to deal with drainage considerations, however no speedy enhancements had been introduced throughout this week’s assembly.