ORANGE CITY, Fla. —  For the past few days, some Volusia County residents have been dealing with rising water left behind by Hurricane Milton throughout the area around Miller Lake.

What You Need To Know

  • Some Volusia County residents have been dealing with rising water left behind by Hurricane Milton throughout the area around Miller Lake
  • Miller Road resident Reese Linton says the flooding has left the well on his property inoperable, which has, in turn, left him without acess to running water
  • He says the flooding has left most of his 5-acre property underwater

Residents believe the flooding stemmed from runoff water from nearby businesses flowing into a retention pond and through pipes into the area. 

Residents like Reese Linton say they’re dealing with a new reality and many new challenges because of the water.

Linton’s property stretches over 5 acres, but he says with all the water nearby, less than an acre of that is still dry.  

Linton moved to the Miller Road area in 2016 and said he never expected flooding of this magnitude to take place.

“The tennis poles on the side are 42 inches high,” he said. “I understand we got 16 inches of water in a short amount of time, but we have water coming from somewhere else.”

Now, he says he’s had to take matters into his own hands. 

“So, we have our well here under a good 2 feet of water, and really, no one can access it to even work on this until this water level goes down,” Linton said. 

With no access to water, he said living a normal life has become difficult. 

He has had to take water out of his swimming pool to flush the toilets. 

“We need to find solutions here. This needs to stop,” Linton said. 

He and other residents say the flooding could have been stopped by shutting a valve on nearby private property — a valve that Orange City Manager Dale Arrington says has now been closed by the owners. 

Despite that, Linton said area residents may look into legal action. 

“This is going to take months, maybe years, to come down naturally,” he said of the floodwaters. “We need the assist here — we need somewhere to transfer not all of this water, but enough water for me to get to my well.”

Linton said he’s been getting help from his neighbors, who have provided him with flood barriers. 

While he hopes things get better, Linton said he just has to remind himself to take things one day at a time. 

“We’re one storm away from water in our house,” he said.

Volusia County spokesperson Clayton Jackson said water levels have stabilized and a temporary road has been installed for vehicle access to the area.

He said the county has been working to actively communicate with residents to help ensure their safety.