James Island neighborhood sees critical flooding after SCDOT attempts improvements

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Heavy rain rocked the Charleston area once again on Friday.

A lot of roads were left submerged, including several roads in the Marlborough and Laurel Park neighborhoods on James Island.

"You're ankle-deep in water in your yard and cars can barely make it down the street," Jimmy Mazyck said.

Mazyck lives in that neighborhood, and he is sick of the flooding.

It's a problem that has torn up his house too many times. So on Friday, he started digging a trench around his home.

"I'm going to dig down about two feet," Mazyck said. "This is just enough where I can get a roller and roll this waterproof membrane."

Mazyck is hoping that membrane stops water from seeping through his foundation and into his house.

The area on James Island has a bad history with damaging floods.

Two weeks ago, the same neighborhood was underwater after a major storm passed through.

SCDOT crews went out this week to try to fix the problem by maintaining the ditches on the side of the roads.

"SCDOT has had crews cleaning ditches and pipes this week in the Laurel Park subdivision and along Fleming Road," SCDOT District Maintenance Engineer Michael Black said. "Our crews were active in response to work request we had received regarding drainage in the area."

Neighbors say their efforts did not work.

"DOT came out and dug the ditches and that's great and I'm thankful. But they have to increase the diameter of the pipes," Mazyck said.

Right now, Mazyck is just digging at the base of one wall. But once it dries up, he'll dig the trench around the whole house.

"I can't take another flood," Mazyck said. "I'm tired of having water on the floor of my house. I have to do what I have to do."

Mazyck is still hoping something is done to fix the flooding in his neighborhood.

Whether it's from SCDOT again or from the city or county, Mazyck says he won't stop pushing.

"I live here. I paid for this house. I paid my taxes. I am not giving up. I have to fight the war," he said.

Black said SCDOT still has work to do on Fleming Road, but that the majority of the neighborhood has been addressed.

He also said the department is likely to double check if there are any additional adjustments that need to be made.

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