WALB News 10: Congressman tours Dougherty County flood area

By Jim Wallace
Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Second District Congressman Sanford Bishop toured the Mockingbird Drive neighborhood and met with people whose homes have been flooded twice in one week. Bishop says that local officials need to move quickly and apply for stimulus plan money to make flood improvements.

Congressman Sanford Bishop got a first hand look at the Mockingbird Drive subdivision, and the water that still covers the roads and several homes. Many of those home owners, Dougherty County Commissioners and State leaders met with the Congressman, who said they must use this disaster to not only clean up, but fix the drainage problems that caused the flooding.

Bishop said "It gives an opportunity, because we see where the needs are for infrastructure improvements. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for stimulus."

Bishop urged local leaders to come up with plans to fix the flooding drainage issues, file for Washington stimulus funds that are coming up.

Bishop said "780 billion dollars. And a lot of that goes for infrastructure. A significant part of it that is available for infrastructure improvements for water, sewer, and flood control."

The homeowners said meeting with Bishop gave them hope their homes could be cleaned up and be safe from floods again.

Mary Grier said "I appreciate anything he can do to help. Because your home is very important and we need someplace to live."

Kristi Richter said "I'm glad that they are concerned and figuring out the problem and getting us some help. So we can get back in our homes. It's just devastating."

This is the drainage pipe that burst Monday and flooded the homes for a second time. Public works crews have plugged it again and continue to pump the water, but can't guarantee that it will hold until the water recedes.

Bishop said that officials must move quickly to apply for stimulus funds. Bishop said he will host a meeting to update information next Thursday, tentatively scheduled for Thursday from 4 to 7 at Westover High School.