STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — A small neighborhood in DeKalb County that used to boast waterfront properties is searching for solutions after the lake they loved turned into a big gaping mudhole.
That's after Hurricane Helene rolled through the area with heavy rains and strong winds, rupturing a natural dam.
“It's no longer a lake; it’s a glorified mud puddle," said resident Eve Overland.
Overland is looking for help and answers after Lake Michele, which is behind her home on Waterview Court, disappeared.
"I’ve called all departments and they’ve referred me one to another. 'Is it watershed? Is it roads and drainage? Is it beautification? Is it sanitation? Whose responsibility is a natural disaster in our backyards?," said Overland.
She said the lake is privately owned, but the owner hasn’t paid property taxes in over a decade, according to her search of property records.
Overland thinks the county should step in to restore the natural dam that ruptured, allowing the lake to wash away.
“It's going to be really hard to restore it without some help, assistance without guidance on how to replenish the lake," said Overland.
Hydrologist Elvin Aycock says the drained-out lake is most likely due to an issue that started before Hurricane Helene but may have been exacerbated by the storm.
“It could’ve been a root or tree system died and created a funnel for water to get out, and it just grew over time," said Aycock.
DeKalb County has confirmed the lake is privately owned.
Aycock said restoring the dam would require installing a culvert and most likely carry a hefty price tag of up to $600,000.