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GoogleA section of Ben Williams Road, 0.2 miles from Halls Mill Road, was covered with a 30-foot wide body of moving water about two feet deep Friday, and there were no warning signs to advise drivers of the road's condition.
UPDATE: As of 2:45 p.m. Tuesday, the road was still open despite even stronger current running across it:
 According to Bedford County Highway Superintendent Stanley Smotherman, this section of Ben Williams Road in rural Bedford County is safe. Water about two feet deep and 30 feet across moves over the roadway. No warning signs are posted. Smotherman says the county closes the road when the water level is high. (T-G Photo by Brian Mosely) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
"You can get your car across it. I cross it all the time," Smotherman said, adding that farmers take heavy equipment through the water-logged road on a regular basis.
The highway superintendent said the road has a solid blacktop underneath the moving water.
However, Smotherman said when there is major flooding, the county closes the road. He added that the possibility of a new bridge for the road has been looked at in the early 1990s, but the cost was "astronomical."
According to the National Weather Service, floods kill an average 127 Americans each year, and four-fifths of these victims die after walking or driving into moving water.
On New Years Day in 1990, a Tullahoma man drowned after he attempted to drive across a flooded bridge outside of Wartrace and his vehicle was swept off the road.
Forecasts for this week indicate that as much as 4 inches of rain could fall between now and early Wednesday.
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That is absolutely ridiculous! Are they going to pay for the damages of the vehicles that cross and have water/flood damages, or run off the paved portion in the water because of not being able to see where it is crossing?
How about just going around when it rains and saving some tax payer dollars on a new bridge. It's only an extra half a mile to Halls mill road.
I would have to say not all cars are created equal. Just because Mr Smotherman has no problem crossing this washed out road does not mean other unsuspecting drivers won't. Lighter cars hydroplane even when water is standing on the roads during a rain just think what a smaller car would do in this. What about younger drivers who do not know how to handle a car as well as someone more experienced or know the dangers of rushing waters? This is a hazard plain and simple!!
It needs to be closed to traffic or fixed.
Every time there is flooding, we are advised never to drive through standing water, regardless of how deep it appears, as it can be deceiving. Now we have a county official publicly broadcasting that the public should drive through a road that is washed out. Seems like a another prime opportunity for the county to be sued to me.
HELLO!!!!! THIS DOESNT MAKE A BIT OF SENSE.ITSA ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN OR A TRAGEDY.
can people not understand what dont drive through water they dont know means?
>>>However, Smotherman said when there is major flooding, the county closes the road<<<
After seeing the new updated Video it makes one wonder how bad the road needs to flood to be considered major.
Superx1250, I have to agree. It seems a bit irresponsible for a county official to publicly announce that a flooded road is safe to drive across. I don't think I would be willing to accept the personal liability for such a statement in the event that some kid tries to drive across in some low-profile vehicle and gets swept down stream all because Mr. Smotherman said it was ok. If I read the article correctly, it said the water was 2 feet deep. My mid-size sedan has only about 6 inches of clearance at best. I would have to be in my full-size truck to get across that mass of water, and frankly I wouldn't even try it then.
Ok, this is bedford county and in case anyone is unfamiliar with the area it is in the middle of Unionville. Yes, it is unwise to drive through water when you don't know how deep it is. However, this road just like Mill Rd. in Flat Creek are roads that have been traveled for many years in this condition. Which by the way my school bus driver used to take the bus through Mill Rd. very often except for when it was closed due to excessive rain. It sounds to me like some "city slicker" reporter got bored in our small town and could find nothing else to write about. The superintendent stated that when it floods and the current is stronger than usual they do close the road. He did not say that you are required to cross this road, and frankly Ben Williams Rd. is so far into the country that I doubt many of you will ever come across it, and there are ways around the road. Please stop complaining and making crude comments about his judgement when he simply stated the truth. I have drove through it many times in my CAR and it has never flooded and I have never had any problems. If you aren't comfortable with it then simply don't attempt it. Also, to Momof3&3step&1gran, no the county will not pay for the damages of the cars that cross the road. He said that it is safe. He never said to go out of your way to cross a road just because he takes his vehicle through here. It is not a highway or a busy road for that matter. The only way the vehicle would be damaged if it was flooded and the current was stronger, in which case the road would be closed and that would be that persons own fault. Oh, and in case you all don't know...normally when it hasn't been raining the way it has lately, it is just a calm creek. As, I said...this is Bedford Co. where we still consider ourselves to be "country" so to speak. C'mon people. This is the most ridiculous story I've read.
3boxers
Do people not live on that road? I bet they pay county taxes also..so why should they or anyone else who wishes to travel this road have to drive their car thru water to get to where they are going. And God Forbid some poor city slicker gets lost and ends up on this road. We don't all drive four wheel drive mud trucks or tractors. If this is a county road then the county is responsible for the safety of that road.
Just a question, are there any homes that are "cut off due to this"? If so, then I would assume the county does have a responsibility to fix this problem, however if it just causes a detour for locals that live in this area then I see nothing wrong with the way Mr. Smotherman is dealing with this road.
As a matter of fact it looks like a fun run for my Jeep Wrangler to navigate.
Maybe some signage should be in place to warn motorist of a hazard when it is raining.
Mr. Smotherman!!!! After watching this video I am thinking you need to do some rethinking. There is no way I would advise anyone to drive across that even if there is a solid blacktop underneath the water. I feel you have made an error in judgement and would like to request that you possibly change your advisement in this situation.
Would someone please recomend an Eye Doctor for Mr. Smotherman! It should be marked off as unsafe to cross. If Mr. Smotherman is crossing it, I would like to know how TALL his truck is!
c'mon people, no one that lives on Ben Williams Rd. is cut off because of this " FLOODED ROAD". I agree with brett favre looks like fun for my wrangler. and for everyone else , if you don't live on that road then it does not matter to you. the people who have lived on that road for the past years have been getting along just fine. Stanley Smotherman is a great superintendent and an all round good guy. oh and dianatn, for a vehicle to hydroplane you must be traveling at least 69 mph. so if someone hydroplanes that means they must be traveling over the speed limit or the tires on their vehicle do not have good tread.
Wheeled vehicles are designed to operate properly when there is friction between the rotating wheel surface and the road. Any frictionless substance can force a vehicle to hydroplane, should the substance separate the tires from the road.
BTW I drive a small car so please be assured you do not have to be going over the speed limit or have bald tires for your car to hydroplane.
The story said: "A section of Ben Williams Road, 0.2 miles from Halls Mill Road, was covered with a 30-foot wide body of moving water about two feet deep Friday, and there were no warning signs to advise drivers of the road's condition."
This is why I asked could they be liable. Claiming it is safe and NO Signs warning of roads condition. People unfamiliar with the area, riding country roads will come up on it and not realize how deep it is until they are in it, no warning of slowing down may cause the driver to approach it the wrong way.
OMG!!!!! I'm sorry guys but that is dangerous. I hope to GOD no one gets hurt or GOD FORBID killed there. I absolutely CANNOT believe someone-much less our county offical-says that road is safe to cross. THAT is an accident just waiting to happen.
Looks like some fun for my 4WD also.
Two Cents Worth,
I am certain that Mr. Smotherman is a fine superintendent. However, to err is human. I do believe that he has made an error in judgement in regards to this road. It doesn't matter who drives on the road, two feet of moving water is enough to cause problems. I feel that anyone who wishes to cross this section of road should do so based on their own judgement, but it should be an informed decision, not based on a road super saying it should be fine. Use common sense! If you drive a small vehicle, chances are you should find an alternative route. Big 4 wheel drive truck? Woohoo!! To avoid any liablity for the county a sign should be posted so that those with no ability to use common sense will know that crossing may become an issue.
Geez people... lay off Mr. Smotherman.
I live a half mile from this road ( if you can call it that)
No one is blocked off, hardly anyone uses it.
It is a 'short cut road' that connects Old Unionville Road and Halls Mill Road.
Highway 41 A also connects these roads a half mile away.
In eight years, I have only crossed this creek twice, and that was just for the nostalgia of crossing a creek in my car.
Get a grip!
This road has caused more problems than just flooding on rainy days. Because it is in a secluded area people use it as an illegal dumping ground, go mudding and other delinquent or illegal behaviors. This section of Ben Williams Road should be closed for numerous reasons.
Dianatn,
Yes people do live on this road, and yes it is a county road ( not in the city). The people that do live on this road a are few and far between that don't mind this at all. As, I said before, these roads have been like this for many many years. I can tell that none of you on this page are familiar with it or y'all would have been complaining about this along time ago. Which obviously means it hasn't had any effect on you. The story was brought up and everyone just wants something else to complain about. Also, Brett Favre, in answer to your question there are no homes "cut off" because it isn't a dead end road, which means there are roads on both sides to access homes on either side of the creek, so thank you for seeing my point that it isn't an inconvenience. And, to puddinlover. This road is fun to take a 4x4 through, god forbid this county close off anything else in this county that is fun. But, as I can see most of you have nothing else to do but nit pick at anything and everything.
Here is a radical idea: In Stanley Smotherman's next run for office DO NOT RE ELECT HIM.
I would say 90% of the stories in this newspaper have no direct effect on any of us that are posting on these blogs but it hasn't stopped the comments so far so I am not sure why this story should be any different.
Just because none of us live on that road does not mean we may not need to use the road. Maybe I know someone who lives on that road or maybe someone has something for sale on that road I would like to purchase, auctions, yard sales. I am sure there are many roads that you travel that you do not personally live on. And that is why this road needs to be fixed or at the very least posted as a dangerous road. I hope no one who lives on this road plans on selling their home or land because I sure would not buy any property or home on a flooded out road. If you think for one minute that the road where your property is located does not effect the price of your property please think again. So these home/land owners may not care today but somewhere in the future they will care.
Why would putting up a "road closed"sign be such a big deal? Maybe Mr Smotherman would not have a problem driving his vehicle (paid for by taxpayers)across the water, but I personally would not drive my new (or old)vehicle through it. I would be more concerned about my life than a vehicle. His driving through the deep water does not mean everyone would want to
It would probably take a mere 45 minutes for one employee to drive to the site and put up such sign. How does this compare for someone's safety?
Dianatn,
Its connects Old Unionville Rd. and Halls Mill Rd. You would never have to cross this creek if you didn't want to. If for whatever reason you have to drive this road simply go down either of the above mentioned roads to get to which ever side of Ben Williams Rd. that your destination is on. Yes, if this was a flood zone then it would lower your value on your property. But its a CREEK. Let it go already. You don't have to cross the creek. So, don't do it if you don't want to. and trust me a map for someone not familiar with the area isn't going to lead them to this road. If you don't like it don't do it, but for some of us its the beauty of bein in the country. LET IT GO!!!
Safe or not, that's not very smart. Someone takes a wrong turn in the dark on a rainy night, whether they are familiar with the area or not and it could cost someone their life. There's ALL KINDS of unmarked county roads in Bedford county. I've made a few wrong turns cutting over from 231-41a and ended up on some of these backroads. I think the county could be held responsible by Mr Smothermans comments if someone were to be injured. They just arrested someone outside of Knoxville for going around a barricade into high water. How is someone supposed to know how deep this is "creek" is?! It's pretty simple to put up a road block and/or sign advising high water during rain. 2" of water is all it takes to sweep a car off a road if it's running fast.
Again, if anyone would pay attention. When the current is running strong Stanley did state that he closes the road. So, what else is there to complain about. And, if someone goes around a barricade then that is their own fault. Not the countys.
Ok Boxer, I am letting it go but I just do not see how anybody who lives on this road could say just let it go? And yes it is a creek but creeks do not belong over the top of roads. There was a bridge there ...the county tore the bridge out. It should be replaced or this section of the road completely closed to through traffic. How many times have we told our children never try to cross moving water in a road and now we have a county official saying it is safe to cross. Can he promise me if my child tries to cross this water that she will be safe?
No, he can't promise that, but I would think you wouldn't let her cross it if you don't think it is safe. It was simply his opinion and yes I would believe that everyone on that road would say that its no big deal. I know the area and the people there. You however do not. As, I said before, there is no inconvenience because it doesn't block any houses.
If I understand it correctly, if a car is damaged due to water and there is NO road closed sign his/her insurance is responsible to pay to repair the vehicle. But if a road closed sign is posted and a person drives around the sign and damage is caused to the vehicle then the insurance company is not responsible to pay for damages. The sign matters.
This bridge has been out for over thirty years. When did this become news worthy????
It became newsworthy when the updated video showed no sign and plenty of running water. BESIDES the fact that he said it was safe to cross. 99% of people would not attempt it, but there is that 1% that is dumb enough to attempt it AND THEN try to sue the county. It's statements like "It's safe to cross" and "I cross it all the time" that get us in trouble.
I've looked at a map, and there is a route around this location that looks reasonably convenient. So, there are better ways that tax money can be spent than on a new bridge for this location. However, it might be worth investing in a couple of signs that say, "There is no bridge here. To cross you must ford the creek. If you don't know what you're doing, turn around."