BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Magistrate Cody Slone said a situation on Turkey Creek is causing damage to people’s property. He asked the Martin County Fiscal Court to apply for emergency funding during a meeting Thursday in the government center.

Slone described a large drain pipe at the creek crossing at Brandon’s Place that is restricting the natural flow of water. The pipe, which runs beneath the roadway and empties into Turkey Creek, has created what he characterized as a dam effect. Sediment buildup and the pipe’s placement at the outlet are causing water to back up, pushing it out of its banks and onto private property.

“Basically, what we have now is a dam right there at the creek crossing at Brandon’s Place,” Slone said. “It just backs everything up and causes a lot of property damage. It’s a pretty prevalent issue affecting a lot of people on Turkey.”

The culvert pipe is partially submerged with water pooling upstream. The creek channel is shallow and cluttered with debris and sediment, with erosion visible along the edges. Discarded trash is lodged near the waterline. The terrain appears uneven and cut away, suggesting that water has carved into the banks. The erosion and debris lodged along the channel further constricts flow.

Slone said the blockage worsens with each heavy rain and flood.

“It’s getting worse and worse,” he said. “And I would appreciate it if we could look for some sort of emergency funding to get a bridge in there to ease the flooding and property damage on the residents there on Turkey.”

Slone pointed out that the drain pipe was originally a FEMA job four or five years ago.

“It’s close to where the creek empties into the river,” he added. “It’s affecting quite a few people on Turkey.”

Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty agreed that it is a “major problem.”

Facilities manager Eric Phelps said he will get estimates together to present to the court.