DURHAM, N.C. – Thursday evening’s heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Durham and water gushing out of a popular restaurant yet again.
- Heavy rains inundated Nana's restaurant.
- The restaurant often floods.
- No injuries reported.
Now, Scott Howell, the owner of Nana’s restaurant, is wondering about his next steps.
"I'm really tired. I don't know anymore," said Howell. "How much longer are people going to trust me to come to my restaurant?"
The clean-up process is underway once again at the restaurant in the 2500 block of University Drive.
"This is our 26th year and I may have to close,” said Howell. “It's sad actually."
For the last 12 years, Howell and surrounding business owners have dealt with flooding.
A culvert maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation is part of the problem. It's across the street from the restaurant and it has started to collapse.
"It's a state thing. Everybody knows what's going on but it's never happened like this in the road,” said Howell. “They keep putting asphalt on top of asphalt and now it's a hole that goes all the way to my building."
A stream also runs under Nana's.
This September, the DOT will start the six-month project to replace the pipe under University Drive.
Howell is hoping that will help the problem, and accommodate the runoff from a smaller culvert behind the restaurant.
"People have lost cars,” said Howell. “Why would you come to this area if it's raining?"
It’s a question Howell has been asking for years.
"I'm going to be honest with you. I've had it. I'm sorry. I've had it."
Nana’s plans to be open Friday night for dinner.
