PALM COAST, Fla. — Palm Coast residents in Flagler County are expressing growing concerns about persistent flooding issues affecting several neighborhoods.
Palm Coast resident Kandi Stevens says that after buying her house nine and a half years ago, she noticed water seeping into her yard. She said that was the first time she saw water coming onto her property.
“I didn’t really understand what was going on, because I just moved here from Tennessee,” she said. “They built the house next to me over here, and that’s when the water came from the fence all the way up here to this side of my house where my son’s room is.”
Stevens said the water came up to the fence and underneath the shed.
“So, if my house is built to drain to the side and you build something higher, what is going to happen?" she asked. "The water is going to come to me, and my water is going to stay in my property. It’s a proven fact."
Stevens decided to take matters into her own hands and had to pay to have a drain installed to divert the water from her backyard toward the front.
“I had somebody come and put a drain in my yard because I was trying to protect my house," she said. "I didn’t know if the city was going to help me. I didn’t even really know what to do."
That’s when she decided to start a Facebook group called Flooded In Flagler County as a space for the community to share the flooding issues they experience.
“I think we’re close to 800 members now," Stevens said. "So, there’s 800 people that are having some type of water issues in their yards."
She thinks one thing that is contributing to the flooding problems is developers in the area building on higher ground, causing properties in lower areas to flood.
“All we want is to have the developers come and put these drainage systems between the houses that are having the problem to fix the issue, so we don’t flood neighborhoods," Stevens said. "That’s my worst nightmare. That’s why I’m still doing this. I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing it for the city, and somebody needs to take notice and fix it. That’s what we want.”
Residents in the group have also posted videos of flooding in the swales and ditches in front of their houses due to heavy rains.
In response to questions about flooding issues in the city, the city of Palm Coast released the following statement:
"In recent days, the City of Palm Coast has experienced significant rainfall, resulting in some standing water within our stormwater system. This system is designed to manage water through a network of swales, ditches, and canals, and during periods of heavy rain, it can also include temporary pooling on streets. The primary goal of the stormwater system is to protect homes from flooding, and it has been successful in doing so throughout these recent weather events.
While we understand that standing water is not ideal, it is a temporary occurrence. As the rain subsides, water levels will recede. We also want to remind residents of the importance of keeping culverts (the pipes beneath driveways) clear of debris. Blockages can impede water flow and reduce the efficiency of the stormwater system. We sincerely appreciate the community’s patience during this rainy season.”
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly said that Kandi Stevens purchased her home a year and a half ago. She purchased her home nine and a half years ago.