Atlanta Residents Reflect on Recovery One Year After Devastating Floods

Atlanta Residents Still Recovering One Year After Catastrophic Floods

ATLANTA — Remember that severe storm last year? The one that turned streets into rivers and left many Atlantans stranded in their cars? If you were in Atlanta on September 14, 2023, you’ll recall the heavy rains that overwhelmed the city’s stormwater system. The city’s Department of Watershed Management later reported that the storm unleashed three hours’ worth of water in just 15 minutes!

The aftermath was nothing short of chaotic, leaving homes and properties deeply affected. Even now, a full year later, some local residents are still grappling with the damage. And it looks like the city is paying a substantial amount for it.

“This is something none of us wanted,” remarked Mackilyn Cook, one of the many Atlantans who faced significant losses that day. Cook was among the 30-plus residents whose settlements from the City of Atlanta exceeded a total of $300,000 due to flood-related damages.

Cook vividly remembers how the water breached her ground level. “It came in through the toilet, it came in through the sewer, and we can’t do anything about this,” she said. The damage was extensive enough to warrant more than $30,000 in repairs. Hers was one of three properties on Jett Street to receive settlements in the five-figure range. Cook believes that had the Watershed Management Department kept local creeks free from debris, the flooding might have been prevented. “Had they been keeping it up, making sure those creeks and everything was clean, we wouldn’t have had the flood in the first place,” she added.

Near Grant Park, Emily Pease’s family faced a similar flood nightmare. An overwhelmed stormwater system brought what looked like a river to their doorstep and flooded their basement, ruining key utilities. “It took out our water heater, our HVAC, everything—like 6 feet worth of water, and the city didn’t do anything,” said Pease.

Pease recounted the long battle for compensation, saying she had to make over 80 calls to the city before they were finally compensated. Despite receiving $50,000, it was still more than $30,000 short of their total repair costs.

What is the City Doing Now?

The city isn’t turning a blind eye. Aware of its shortcomings during last year’s flooding incident, the city has invested millions into its Department of Watershed Management. “We are implementing solutions and working with areas like Clark Atlanta University to mitigate flooding,” a department representative explained.

For residents like Cook and Pease, these steps are long overdue but provide a glimmer of hope that future storms won’t bring the same level of destruction. Cook and others just want assurance that measures are being taken to prevent reoccurrences of last year’s disastrous event.

Looking Ahead

Despite the investments, the lingering question among residents remains: Will it be enough? For a city like Atlanta, known for its concentration of trees and green spaces, ensuring that waterways and storm systems are adequately maintained is crucial. Time will tell if these efforts will stand up to the next heavy rainfall or storm.

In the meantime, local Atlantans are staying vigilant, keeping an eye on weather forecasts more closely, and perhaps keeping sandbags handy.

One year later, Atlanta is still healing from one of its most intense downpours, but proactive steps give hope that the city can weather future storms a bit more smoothly.

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