‘Racism’: Black Residents Accuse Alabama of Intentionally Flooding Town

Photo: Getty Images 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 other 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...