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Stormwater flooding has been a consistent issue for the southern portion of Ivy Lane in Kitty Hawk. At their meeting on Monday, February 5, 2024, town council members discussed possible drainage solutions to tackle this ongoing concern.

John DeLucia with Albemarle & Associates was asked to research the matter back in August of 2023. A current resident of Kitty Hawk Landing himself, DeLucia was familiar with the flooding that occurs in this particular area of the neighborhood. He met with affected residents last summer and together, they came up with a map showing which direction water flows during and after storms and how each property is affected. “The storms and the southwest winds are what gets us,” the engineer informed the council at Monday’s meeting.

Currently, there is a small ditch at the end of the cul-de-sac on Ivy Lane which allows water to drain. However, it has been determined that the ditch is not collecting enough water to stop it from flooding yards, driveways and the road. DeLucia offered that creating culverts at the end of each property owner’s driveway to direct water would be one possible solution. His concern with this option was that the culvert would essentially become a ditch due to depth, which could be dangerous to drivers if the area is flooded and the ditch is not visible. He added that this option is not entirely practical, would not be aesthetically pleasing and would take away from landscaping.

The engineer suggested inserting infiltration basins between properties, which would gently slope onto right-of-ways. “It will give us some volume and take some of the water quicker,” DeLucia noted. He pointed out two areas on a map of Ivy Lane where infiltration swells may be the most helpful: between the properties at 3901 Ivy Ln. and 3847 Ivy Ln., and 3917 Ivy Ln. and 3921 Ivy Ln. “If the water can run off the road into some 15-foot wide depressed areas, it’s not a lot of water, but it’s a lot more infiltration area so water can move faster.”

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Pruitt shared that he had visited the affected area after a storm hit mid-January. He pondered whether the rounded portion at the end of the cul-de-sac could be utilized to divert water that was “pooling in” from the sound. “I’m not sure CAMA would let us improve it,” DeLucia said, “and the Coastal Fed. already said no more pipes.” The engineer informed the council that if they were to install infiltration basins, CAMA would have to approve the project first. That goes for anywhere work is done within 75-ft. of the water. Roadway swells along right-of-ways would not require CAMA permits.

Public works director Willie Midgett agreed that by scraping the shoulders of the affected roadway, water would have somewhere else to go. Given that any of the recommendations would require funding and a good bit of roadwork, along with the possibility of affecting private property, Pruitt suggested that the town consult with property owners first before moving forward with discussions. Mayor Craig Garriss asked if a survey could be conducted to receive feedback and input from the property owners who live on the southern portion of Ivy Lane. The town manager offered to put one together. “We’ll hear from the property owners and see where we go from there.”

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