Courtesy Photo/City of Kemp
Kemp utility crews climb into deep holes filled with water in subfreezing temperatures to fix line breaks and restore water service for residents.

KEMP–Freezing temperatures wreaked havoc on Kemp utilities last week as major line breaks and pressure issues kept residents without water for several days and school campuses closed for the duration of the week.
The trouble began Jan. 15 with the city facing several main line breaks due to the cold, depleting the city’s water tower and leading to low or no water pressure for residents. The city released a boil water notice due to contaminants and bacteria growth that can occur with low pressure and began working to remedy the situation.
City crews began pushing water into the town Jan. 16 as workers addressed leaks and flushed the system. Hours later, Kemp Mayor Christi Neal told the public that the water plant’s clear well and the water tower were still detrimentally low and filling very slowly. At this time, much of the city was out of water. This condition persisted as city workers climbed down into holes filled with water in subfreezing temperatures in an attempt to make repairs. “We have a terrific staff who does great work,” said Neal.
Just before 10 p.m. Jan. 17, Neal stated that she had been quoted a timeline of at least 24 hours to fill the plant’s clear well, though most homes in the area experienced some restoration of water services with diminished pressure. Watson and Horseshoe were still without water due to elevation.
The following morning, a line break in the city’s six-inch main line down Elm Street was identified. The water plant was not producing enough water pressure to fill the tower and the city began exploring connecting to another source to fill it. As this was happening, crews physically walked each water line in the city in search of additional leaks and other local communities were asked for additional manpower.
“Friday morning, we had a meeting around 11 o’clock. It was really terrific because Scurry Gastonia did come. The sheriff’s department came with their drone. One of our council members and his father, who is a retired civil engineer, came out,” said Neal, also noting community volunteers, another council member and herself among attendees. “Our city administrator was there throughout the entire situation. Every single day, he was back and forth out in the field and at the water plant, at city hall, trying to navigate that entire situation.”
She states that members of the Scurry Gastonia department went to the water plant to identify issues and possible resolutions while others walked water lines in the town and the sheriff’s office used their drone for quick inspection. More leaks were identified and repairs were made. The following day, water pressure was finally restored for all of Kemp, however, the boil notice remained intact until Jan. 25.
“It was really terrific community support,” said Neal. “We’ve been really really working on connecting and developing relationships with our surrounding communities, so I was thrilled when they offered to assist.” Neal went on to say that West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility District had also offered its services to the city and that she was very grateful.
“We are so so grateful for our neighbors who stepped in to help us and the citizens,” Neal said, going on to say that the residents of Kemp remained understanding throughout the ordeal. “I’ve been involved with the council for 10 or 11 years now, and I honestly have not seen the positive response from people that we’ve seen this time.”
Neal states that the city is aware that there are issues, with more coming to light during this event, and the city is dedicated to improving emergency preparedness. “Our city staff will be having a debrief about why things happened the way that they did, and then from that, those things will be presented to the council,” Neal said. “Dean, our city administrator, is committed to creating an emergency preparation plan for such weather. While we couldn’t have prevented everything that happened, there were some precautions that we could have taken.”
Neal states that the city is focusing intently on this issue and creating the best plan possible for the future.
Also making new plans due to this event, Kemp ISD was forced to adjust its calendar to make up lost instructional minutes. The board voted Jan. 22 to change Feb. 16 from a professional development day to an instructional day and has added 12 minutes to each school day, split into six-minute segments at the beginning and end of the day. Children must now be taken to school no later than 7:39 a.m. and will not be released until 3:41 p.m.
“While we did not anticipate the City of Kemp’s water loss and this closure event, it was necessary to preserve the wellness and safety of our KISD students and staff,” said Kemp ISD in a statement. “We understand these changes may impact your plans, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the best possible education for our students.”