ELM GROVE, W.Va. — Residents of Leopold Lane are once again asking local and state leaders for help after heavy rainfall earlier this week caused flash flooding and renewed concerns about the deteriorating condition of their road.
Monday night’s storms brought significant flooding to parts of Elm Grove, with water entering homes and businesses throughout the area. For families living on Leopold Lane, the flooding was another reminder of long-standing drainage problems they say have gone unresolved for years.
Brittany Baldwin, who has lived on Leopold Lane for the past decade, said floodwaters rushed downhill from Hughes Street, sending water into her basement, garage and porch.
“It was like a wall of water,” Baldwin said, describing the damage caused during Monday’s storm.
According to Baldwin, residents have repeatedly contacted the Ohio County Commission, the West Virginia Division of Highways, emergency management officials and state representatives seeking assistance. She said they continue to receive the same response—that Leopold Lane is considered an “orphan road,” leaving no government agency responsible for maintaining it.
Residents believe runoff from Hughes Street, combined with inadequate drainage on Leopold Lane, causes water to collect and repeatedly damage the roadway and nearby homes.
Neighbor Kyle Lipan said the lack of proper drainage has created ongoing safety concerns for families living on the street.
“I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old,” Lipan said. “This isn’t something families should have to live with.”
Another resident, Toni Shelton, worries the worsening road conditions could delay emergency responders if they ever need to reach her home.
“The road is full of deep ruts, and you have to weave around them just to get through,” Shelton said. “I don’t know how an ambulance or fire truck would get up here quickly in an emergency.”
River News reached out to both the West Virginia Division of Highways and the Ohio County Commission regarding responsibility for the roadway. While officials provided limited information, it was confirmed that Leopold Lane is classified as an orphan road.
West Virginia Sen. Laura Wakim-Chapman said she understands residents’ frustrations but explained that current state law prevents the Division of Highways from assuming responsibility because the roadway is neither a state road nor a county-maintained road.
She suggested community fundraising and private support may be the most realistic path toward installing additional drainage improvements or making repairs.
Residents say they previously worked together to repair portions of the road in 2025, but heavy rainfall and runoff quickly washed away much of that work, leaving them back where they started.
For those who call Leopold Lane home, they say they simply want a long-term solution before the next heavy rain causes even more damage.
