Temporary pump installed in Wilmington neighborhood to fight flooding while failed pipe is replaced

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The City of Wilmington has installed a temporary pump in at least one neighborhood to fight flooding from heavy rainfall until a permanent pipe replacement is completed in two to three weeks.

The National Weather Service has issued flood warnings throughout southeastern North Carolina this weekend.

Grey Leaf Drive in the Woodberry Forest neighborhood ponded with at least six inches of water during downpours on Friday.

“This is so bad that children cannot cross this road. We have difficulty going to our mailboxes," said Grace Maiwandi, who has lived on Grey Leaf Drive for 30 years. “Cars will drive down the street, hit potholes they cannot see, and sometimes they even hydroplane. This is how dangerous this is.”

Flooding was not a problem on Grey Leaf until about eight months ago, according to Maiwandi. She said crews with the City of Wilmington installed a pump to help alleviate the flooding, but it was removed Monday.

“Under this water, we have many potholes, which earlier, I almost fell in one," said Maiwandi. "The City of Wilmington is obviously is just taking their sweet time until somebody really gets hurt or there’s an accident.”

Maiwandi said her husband was told the problem had been solved by a City of Wilmington staff member.

On Friday, stormwater services crews were working on Grey Leaf. A temporary pump leading into a manhole worked to help remove the water.

Cones placed in one cul-de-sac indicate there is no street side parking beginning Dec. 12 until further notice.

One reason for the flooding on Grey Leaf Drive is a drainage pipe downstream failed, causing rainwater to back up and flood the street, according to Dave Mays, director of public services with the City of Wilmington.

Mays said Hurricane Florence damaged pipes, causing water backups at “literally hundreds” of locations in Wilmington.

Pipe replacement is underway throughout the city, and the corrosion and damage is not uncommon after a storm like Hurricane Florence, said Mays.

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