Saturday marks one month since floodwaters killed Lottie Alston, 24 and Raymond Evans Jr., 55. The two were returning home from a medical appointment when they tried to cross a flooded road. Investigators say the car they were in was swept into a ravine, and they drowned.
In the weeks since, Spring Hope residents have called for a fix to what they say are persistent flooding issues.
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30-year resident Priscilla Capps says floodwaters cut off the only entrance onto her street during last month's intense rainfall.
"When that road floods down there, we cannot get our vehicles in and out of here. We have to wait for that water to go down," said Capps. "That's like in a bowl. So, what's happening is all that water is gathering right there, and this is the worst I've ever seen it."
Capps and others believe runoff from the newly built Walnut Cove neighborhood has worsened flooding and yard erosion in nearby areas.
Frustrated residents living in and near Walnut Cove spoke out at Spring Hope's Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday.
"It's putting our homes, our property, even our safety at risk," said one speaker.
After the deadly floods, Spring Hope Mayor Kyle Pritchard called for the creation of a statewide flash flood action committee to review and prevent major impacts from flash flooding.
Pritchard says he and other local officials met with state leaders this week to discuss flooding challenges facing North Carolina and the permitting process for new developments.
"When that permit clears. It's clear for the contractor to move forward and we looked at how some of those things need realigning," said Pritchard at Tuesday's commissioners meeting.
Town officials say stormwater infrastructure in Spring Hope's new developments held up during last month's intense, deadly rainfall.
Pritchard and Walnut Cove's developer pledged boosted coordination among county and state officials for culvert and other stormwater maintenance at Tuesday's board of commissioners meeting.
Capps says her fears remain as she hopes a fix comes soon.
"Two people have lost their lives. Families have lost family members and that's scary," said Capps. "I want our community to be safe. I want our children to be able to play here and not worry if a big rain comes and something happens to them."
A call to action from both residents and town officials to prevent another flood-related tragedy.