Cobb commissioner to hold listening session for September floods

Cobb storm damage town hall — *A homeowner in Terrell Mill Estates showed Cobb commissioners a photo of damage to her property from the Sept. 7 floods.*

The office of Cobb Commissioner Jerica Richardson announced she is holding what she’s calling a “listening session” on Dec. 2 for residents affected by severe flooding in September.

The event starts next Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Cobb Civic Center (548 S. Marietta Parkway). In October Richardson held a virtual session for residents to provide information about the impact of the Sept. 7 floods.

Some East Cobb residents affected by the storms have been highly critical of the county’s response to the situation, and formed a group pressing for storm relief.

In particular, some have said county stormwater management efforts are lacking, and wanted an in-person opportunity with elected officials.

Citizens calling themselves the Cobb September 7 Storm Damage Advocacy Group spoke out at a Cobb Board of Commissioners meeting in October, but that was during a public comment session that didn’t include a dialogue with elected officials.

The group has complained said some homeowners were told they were responsible for making repairs ranging from $25,000-$250,000 for what they said was flooding caused by poor stormwater infrastructure.

In one case, they said the county accepted responsibility for a failing 48-inch stormwater pipe that caused a sinkhole in a resident’s yard, but since the pipe is only partially on that property, the homeowner is on the hook for $25,000.

The county did establish a reporting tool for residents stemming from those storms—the citizens group says that happened at the behest of a citizen, “but there was no further coordinated communication to keep residents informed.”

For residents who cannot attend the listening session but wish to provide feedback, they’re invited to email Richardson’s assistant, Aliye Korucu: aliye.korucu@cobbcounty.org.

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