x
Breaking News
More () »

Culpeper Co. residents want more help with stormwater issues after flooding caused home evacuations

Multiple residents who spoke with WUSA9 want the county to do more to help with flooding that impacts the area.

CULPEPER, Va. — Culpeper County, Virginia Emergency Services says it evacuated nearly 50 people from floodwaters threatening homes Thursday night. The storm dropped several inches of water each hour.

Waterlogged floors, ruined clothes, the danger of mildew, are what remain in the rooms at the Sleepy Hollow Motel and neighboring mobile home park.

Shanika Davenport is one of 50 residents rescued by Culpeper County firefighters now left wondering what’s next.

"Stressed. And I’m nervous. I don’t know what I’m going to do next with my son. He’s one year old. It’s hard. It’s hard being a single mom and trying to raise him and then go through this. It’s stressful. I cried last night because ... because I didn’t know what I was going to do," said Davenport.

A nearby creek is dammed up with debris. A flood several months ago came close, but not enough to cause damage. Residents and Culpeper councilmember Jon Russell blame the flooding on a bridge blocking the surging stormwater.

Posted by Richardsville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad on Thursday, June 10, 2021

"A lot of this is drainage issues. It’s stormwater issues. We have a hundred-year-old stormwater system and we continue to develop out," said Russell.

Culpeper’s drainage challenges are apparent while looking at continuing flooding at Yowell Meadow Park hours after the storm.

"We need to have a serious conversation with the Army Corp of Engineers about dredging the creek and making it deeper and being able to get the water out of town quicker," added Russell.

Sleepy Hollow residents are staying at nearby Quality Inn through the weekend paid for by Sleepy Hollow motel. It’s next week that has these people on edge.

"We’re there, they don’t know what’s going to be next, so that’s what scares me too," said Davenport.

WUSA9 is now on Roku and Amazon Fire TVs. Download the apps today for live newscasts and video on demand.

Download the WUSA9 app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips.

Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.
Sign up for the Capitol Breach email newsletter, delivering the latest breaking news and a roundup of the investigation into the Capitol Riots on January 6, 2021.

Before You Leave, Check This Out