The third time was no charm for an old Highway 51 resident whenwater again flooded her home during Sunday night’s and Monday’sheavy rains.

“I wasn’t a happy camper when I woke up this morning and steppedin water,” said Sandra Prather as she discussed the ankle-deepflooding that happened Monday morning.

Prather said Monday was the third time in a month that her homeat the intersection of old Highway 51 and Sawmill Lane had flooded.More than 2.5 inches of rain reportedly fell Sunday night and earlyMonday morning.

“Mama ran this as a cafe for 25 years and it never flooded likethis,” said Prather, who has lived in the house for about twoyears.

Prather said the water floods her living room and kitchen. Herbedroom is slightly elevated, but she said water has entered thatroom as well.

A small puddle or two of water in the kitchen area remainedMonday afternoon. Prather said she used a vacuum to get most of thewater up and then she mopped.

“It’s a job,” Prather said.

Prather and her mother, Linda Smith, believe the problem stemsfrom build up along the roadside that causes water to flow backonto Prather’s property and others’ in the area. They also citeundersized and clogged culverts just north of the intersection.

“It’s got to be stopped up because it runs all over the roadwhen it rains,” Prather said.

Smith said District Two Supervisor Bobby J. Watts had done somework to lower a build up of dirt between Prather’s home and a shopnext door. She said more work is needed, though.

“It still hasn’t solved the problem,” Smith said.

Watts was out of town Monday and unavailable for comment.

Prather said her brother Terry, who lived in the house beforeher, built up a ledge in the doorway in an effort to keep waterout. That has helped, but water still overflows it at times, shesaid.

“It runs straight in here on us. It’s like a lake,” said Pratheras she stepped over a puddle of water outside her doorway.

Prather and Smith also expressed concern about an area that hasbeen cleared for development across the street. They did not knowwho owned the property, but questioned their ability to develop thelow-lying area.

“They’re not going to be able to build unless they build thatup,” Prather said.

Meanwhile, Prather remained concerned about problems in her ownliving room.

“If it rains again, this whole room will be flooded,” Prathersaid.