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Residents in Shiloh, a predominantly Black community in southeastern Alabama, are accusing the state of intentionally flooding their town through a highway expansion project, per the Atlanta Black Star.
Shiloh has faced constant flooding since 2018 when the state began to expand U.S. 84 from two lanes to four. Residents believe the Alabama Department of Transportation discriminated against them because of how they designed the highway drainage system. All of the drains from the new stretch of high empty out near homes in the predominately Black community, while white-owned farmland nearby avoided any runoff.
“This is racism, there’s no oher way around it,” resident Timothy Williams said. “And they don’t even want to correct the problem.”
The constant flooding has led to septic tank overflows and an influx of snakes, rats, and mosquitos. Residents are also struggling to keep up with rising homeowner's insurance due to the flooding, and many homes have gone unrepaired.
“Homes are sinking. Houses are cracking,” Williams said.
Black residents in Shiloh filed a civil rights complaint with the federal government two years ago, alleging discrimination. Federal officials recently announced the conclusion of their investigation into the situation. A settlement was reached with the Alabama Department of Transportation to make a drainage system to curb flooding.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement that the move was “a first step toward addressing broader needs of the community."
However, the Alabama DOT “is not admitting to any wrongdoing, and the [Federal Highway Administration] is also not concluding that the state agency has violated any rule."
There's also no guarantee that residents will receive compensation for what's already been lost. Three residents were awarded $5,000 or less under the condition that they won't sue the state.
Shiloh residents started a petition seeking a widespread compensation fund for relocation assistance and home repair.
“We need you to fix the problem and then compensate the people,” Williams said. “Make the people whole, because why did we have to be traumatized for six years and you know you did it intentionally to get us off the property and everybody’s not going to, they’re not just going to give up their property.”
Some residents don't want to be pushed out of the town as Black-owned properties have been passed down from generations.
“Everyone there is kin,” Williams said. “We call Shiloh ‘God’s Country,’ because it’s in the Bible. Shiloh is known for greatness.”
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