An unexpected guest made his way through the rural landscapes of Alabama last Wednesday to pay a visit to the community of Shiloh, a place that is often overlooked by the public. Accompanied by two of his top officials, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg responded to the call of local landowners who have been grappling with recurring flooding issues since the state expanded a highway adjacent to their homes.
Many Black families in the Shiloh community have been landowners since the abolition of slavery. However, they now face the distressing reality of their properties being flooded. With deep concern, these families express their fear that the water will devastate the generational wealth they have painstakingly built over the past 150 years.
Pastor Timothy Williams, a long-time resident of Shiloh, has been actively raising concerns about the flooding and the impact it has had on his home since 2017, when the highway construction began. However, it wasn’t until recently that Williams felt like his voice was finally being heard by those in positions of authority.
“It’s a promising feeling to finally have the opportunity to connect with the top officials at the DOT and have them lend an ear,” Williams expressed in an interview with ABC News prior to the visit. “I have faith that assistance is on its way.”
Pete Buttigieg’s visit to Shiloh came as a result of an investigation conducted by ABC News in October. Just last month, residents of Shiloh had a meeting with officials in Washington. This visit is also taking place amidst a civil rights investigation led by the Federal Highway Administration. The investigation aims to determine whether the Alabama Department of Transportation has discriminated against the predominantly Black community of Shiloh.
ALDOT denies any allegations of discrimination in relation to the highway widening or its subsequent effects. The agency firmly asserts that the flooding in Shiloh was not a result of the project and emphasizes that it has been collaborating with the FHWA to present factual information regarding the Highway 84 widening initiative and address the concerns raised by residents of the Shiloh Community.
During the investigation conducted by ABC News, it was revealed that ALDOT contractors were already aware of the flooding in Shiloh and the concerns raised by residents while they were working on the highway expansion.
The federal authorities had the opportunity to witness the situation firsthand and assess it themselves last week.
As Buttigieg strolled along the eroded muddy ground, he couldn’t help but notice the cracks in the brick exterior of Williams’ house. These cracks were deemed to be a result of the frequent flooding experienced in the area. Conversations with residents revealed that during emergencies, the flooding posed a challenge for first responders, causing delays in reaching affected homes. Firetrucks and ambulances were hindered by the flooded conditions, making it harder for them to provide immediate assistance.
“I won’t be able to forget what I just heard,” Buttigieg exclaimed with conviction.
‘There’s no more lynchings and hangings. It’s coming after your finances.’
When it rains, Melissa Williams, the daughter of Timothy Williams, expressed her lack of security within their own home.
In an interview with ABC News, she expressed her fear and uncertainty about going to bed each night, not knowing if she would wake up the following morning.
The Williams family of Shiloh faces more than just the perilous waters. Timothy Williams, owner of a cleaning service and a restaurant, laments the loss of customers since the ABC News investigation aired in October.
According to Timothy Williams, the situation in Alabama has evolved from lynchings and hangings to a different kind of threat. He suggests that instead of physical violence, people now face the danger of having their money and finances targeted and drained.
Despite the challenges, Timothy Williams has no regrets about speaking up for Shiloh’s situation.
“They are trying to silence us,” he declared. “But when they tell us to be quiet, we must raise our voices even louder.”
According to residents, it appears that the state has favored certain voices over others.
When Timothy Williams raised his concerns with ALDOT, he felt that the agency attempted to silence him. Rather than addressing the issue of flooding, the state opted to sign settlement agreements with Timothy Williams and some of his neighbors. In exchange for compensation of no more than $5,000, they were required to relinquish their rights to file any future lawsuits for flood damages.
Just a short distance away from Shiloh, a local day care center suffered severe flooding due to the highway expansion, forcing it to shut down. The devastating loss deeply affected the owners, a mother and daughter who happen to be white. In their situation, ALDOT acquired a portion of their property for $165,000, effectively eliminating their ability to pursue any future claims against the state.
Ronda Robinson, the owner of a day care, expressed her empathy for the families of Shiloh, acknowledging the difficult struggle they had endured.
According to Peggy Carpenter, the $5,000 that some Shiloh residents received was merely a small amount of money.
“I added,” she said, “because you get tired of fighting.”
Robinson and Carpenter acknowledged that they cannot confirm whether the discrepancy between the deal they received and the one offered to Shiloh homeowners was influenced by race, but they do not rule out the possibility.
After years of relentless advocacy by the residents of Shiloh, their plea for additional assistance has finally been heard by the top official in charge of infrastructure in the country.
Timothy Williams praised Buttigieg for his ability to actively listen to the concerns of the people. Williams expressed that Buttigieg genuinely engaged with the community and took action based on their feedback.
During one of his department’s busiest weeks, Buttigieg visited amid the bridge collapse in Baltimore and the disruptions to port operations.
Surprisingly, he found himself in a small town that was far away from any big cities and unfamiliar to the majority of Americans.
Journey to Justice Tour
Timothy Williams took the lead and guided the crowd towards the highway to witness the drainage system in action. The system channels water directly onto Shiloh properties, causing inconvenience. He also pointed out the ditches that were dug by ALDOT contractors to contain the runoff. Unfortunately, these ditches often overflow, causing water to flood the front yard of the Williams family.
Dr. Robert Bullard, a Texas Southern University professor and a native of the area, was another notable participant in the tour. With his expertise in environmental justice and authorship of 18 books on the subject, he played a crucial role in raising awareness about Shiloh’s plight on a national scale. Collaborating with Timothy Williams, Bullard deemed the situation as a clear example of environmental racism, describing it as a “textbook case.”
“They not only endured the horrors of slavery but also faced the harsh realities of Jim Crow segregation,” Bullard emphasized when discussing the resilient Shiloh community. “And now, they find themselves in a battle against a highway, an infrastructure project that seems to be robbing them of their wealth, their rightful inheritance. This blatant injustice simply cannot be tolerated.”
During an exclusive interview with ABC News Senior National Correspondent Steve Osunsami, Buttigieg expressed his department’s deep concern regarding the impact of the highway on the community and the challenges faced by its members. He emphasized the ongoing investigation and active collaboration with the Alabama DOT to address these concerns.
The road ahead
Shiloh is not the only community currently under investigation by the FHWA’s Office of Civil Rights. Despite receiving a rare visit from high-ranking officials, the residents of Shiloh have been waiting for over 600 days for a response to their claims of discrimination and a resolution to their ongoing flooding issues. The agency aims to complete these investigations within 180 days, but the people of Shiloh continue to wait for answers.
The ALDOT spokesperson stated to ABC News that the agency has collaborated with an engineering firm to create strategies for effectively managing stormwater runoff from ALDOT’s right of way.
In a statement to ABC affiliate WDHN, ALDOT refuted any allegations of unfair treatment and maintained that the agency firmly believes that property owners in Shiloh have been adequately compensated for any inconveniences caused by the Highway 84 project.
ALDOT has presented two options to the residents of Shiloh. The first option is to sell their properties to ALDOT. The second option is for ALDOT to implement a project that will help retain additional water.
“The decision will be up to them,” the statement mentioned.
Timothy Williams firmly believes that selling his property would mean putting an end to a cherished legacy of community and wealth building that has been passed down through generations. Moreover, he asserts that the previous efforts made by ALDOT to mitigate the runoff have failed to effectively address the issue of flooding.
Timothy Williams has a different perspective when it comes to the topic of money. Rather than seeking financial compensation, he is focused on using the funds to rebuild his family home in a way that safeguards it from future flooding. His vision involves constructing a house on higher ground with a stronger foundation, aiming to make it resilient just like the rest of his community.
“We’re committed for the long term,” stated Timothy Williams confidently. “I’m fully dedicated to doing whatever it takes to succeed, and we’re not going anywhere.”
For the Shiloh community, many residents believe that this struggle extends beyond mere compensation for an inconvenience.
“When individuals confront the challenges of road construction and flooding, it is not merely a battle against a raised highway,” stated Bullard. “It is a fight for their legacy, for the well-being of their children, grandchildren, and generations to come. That is precisely why this struggle holds such significance.”
Buttigieg aims to transform that battle into a federal initiative.
“I want to ensure that we reclaim our responsibility and collaborate with our sister agencies to achieve tangible outcomes,” he stated. “It is imperative that we prioritize the well-being of the residents in this community.”
The Williams family considered last week’s visit as a positive step forward.
“It doesn’t completely solve the challenges we’re facing,” Melissa Williams acknowledged, “but it does bring a small measure of relief.”
