Ogden neighbors on edge as heavy rain floods collapsed cut-through

OGDEN, N.C. — The sound of rushing water filled Dove Field Drive Sunday night as heavy rain sent water surging through a collapsed cut-through connecting the Ogden and Murrayville communities.

Neighbors say the flooding has become a growing concern, particularly for homes near the creek, and they worry the problem could worsen if the roadway is not repaired soon.

“When we had the storm last night, this was a raging river as opposed to a small creek,” Witchek said.

Witchek has lived near the popular cut-through for 26 years. Although her home is three houses from the creek, she said she worries about neighbors whose properties are closer to the water.

“Every storm it gets a little closer to my house. I’m the third house from the creek, but the people who live right next to the creek, the water comes right up to their foundation,” she said.

The area received about 8 inches of rain Sunday, sending a significant amount of water through the creek.

The cut-through collapsed about two weeks ago after a strong storm moved through the Wilmington area on Aug. 21.

Witchek said she was told when she purchased her home that development could not occur next to the creek because of its flood risk.

“They told me that nobody could build next to me. That’s one of the reasons I bought my home,” she said.

Witchek said the creek was designated as a 100-year flood zone when she bought her home, with the zone coming within about 10 feet of her house.

“When there is a heavy rainstorm in a short period of time, then we are the ones that end up paying for it,” she said.

“And now we have this again, a different road that has been breached, and it needs more done to it than just a quick fix.”

Alice Hayden and her husband have lived in the neighborhood since 1999. She said the roadway is one of several in the area that have fallen victim to severe weather.

“Flash flooding here happens all the time in this neighborhood, so when you see high water, please take it seriously,” Hayden said.

Witchek said she hopes the North Carolina Department of Transportation responds quickly and makes more than a temporary repair.

“Nature will always win, so if they don’t learn to work with it and do what they are supposed to, we are the ones that are going to have to pay for it,” she said.

The NCDOT told WWAY in a statement that crews will survey the area once the water recedes. Officials will then determine what repairs are needed and work to reopen the road as soon as possible.