'Nothing is Being Done': Business Owners Demand Action After Flash Flooding

Community Struggles with Recurring Flooding

Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, experienced a severe flash flood late Tuesday night, with over 3.5 inches of rain falling in just 55 minutes. The sudden downpour caused widespread damage and frustration among local business owners who have long complained about the town’s inadequate infrastructure and stormwater drainage systems.

Business owner Angie Snow, who runs Hebrews Cafe on East Railroad Avenue, captured footage showing several inches of standing water surrounding her property and nearby roads. She posted the videos on social media, calling for action from both the town and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

Snow has operated her cafe for eight years, and during that time, she has repeatedly faced issues with flooding. “The only reason I said anything after eight years is because we just want some action; we want some results,” she said. “It is not to stir the pot at all, it’s just to hold people accountable and get our drainage issues fixed.”

In the videos, several stormwater drains are visible, overgrown with vegetation and filled with trash. Snow expressed deep concern about the town’s ability to handle future heavy rains, especially as more people move into the area. “We are about to flood Batesburg Leesville with a ton of people and water… and nothing is being done,” she said.

Just a short distance away, Jeff Taylor, owner of Ridge Motorsports, also shared his frustrations. His business has been affected by repeated flooding, forcing him to replace flooring multiple times. “Several thousand dollars really in repairs and time,” he said. “I’ve done a lot myself. I’m a small businessman. You can’t afford to come in and do it whenever you know it’s going to happen again.”

Taylor, who has owned the building for over two decades, described the situation as increasingly dire. On Tuesday night, he noted over 10 inches of rain on the front patio of his shop and over 2 inches inside. He added that the problem has worsened as the surrounding land develops. Recently, a potential buyer backed out due to concerns about the flooding and damage his business has endured.

“I’ve just gone over the years, ‘okay, this is a situation I may have to live with, but they need to do something,’” Taylor said. “They come out and look, and nothing ever gets done.”

Town Responds to Concerns

WIS reached out to the town of Batesburg-Leesville, and Town Manager Jay Hendrix provided a statement addressing the recent flooding. He mentioned that the town experienced a significant rain event, with around four inches of rain causing localized flooding in areas prone to such incidents. While the town owns minimal stormwater infrastructure, Hendrix emphasized the need for improvement.

“The Town of Batesburg-Leesville recently was awarded a Safe Streets For All grant through the Federal Highway Administration,” he said. “It is my hope that the town and the South Carolina Department of Transportation are able to partner on improving the stormwater issues that have plagued our town for many years.”

Hendrix also expressed a desire to meet with SCDOT staff to discuss ways to address the aging infrastructure and make Batesburg-Leesville a better place to live.

Calls for Action and Solutions

Local business owners like Snow and Taylor are demanding accountability and tangible solutions to the recurring flooding problem. They believe that without proper investment in infrastructure, their businesses—and the community—will continue to suffer.

As the frequency and intensity of storms increase, the need for proactive measures becomes more urgent. Business owners are urging local authorities to take immediate steps to improve stormwater management and prevent further damage.

For now, the residents and business owners of Batesburg-Leesville remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that meaningful change will follow.