A homeowner in Sorrento says her property is being hit by repeated rainwater flooding — a problem she says only began recently. She contacted News 6 through the Neighborhood Network, saying she is worried nearby construction may be altering the way stormwater moves through the area.
Along Elkridge Road, the homeowner says heavy rain now sends water streaming off the roadway and straight onto her property, tearing through her yard. She said the ongoing damage has already led to thousands of dollars in repair costs.
Resident Betty Jones said the runoff rushes into her yard, carrying mud and causing serious erosion. “We’ve got actual clay right here where the clay came through from the road base. It’s constantly washing out with every rainfall,” Jones said. She said the water has carved out deep gullies and left washout damage across the property.
The problem is not limited to the front of the home, Jones said. She told News 6 the water has also pushed into the backyard, where her family has placed bricks beneath the fence in an attempt to slow it down.
Video recorded Tuesday shows water pouring into the yard and leaving behind muddy debris. Jones said the situation is particularly upsetting because she and her husband have spent thousands of dollars getting the house ready to sell, only to watch erosion undo much of that work.
“It’s very hard to try to show a house when you’ve got water coming down the road and flooding the property,” Jones said.
Jones and her husband said they have lived in the home for 17 years and had not dealt with this kind of flooding before. They said the issue began earlier this year, after development started nearby. Lake County records show the property is located along the edge of a flood zone, and Jones fears more construction could worsen the runoff.
“With just a little bit of rain, we’re getting this much water. I know it’ll be like whitewater rapids,” she said.
Jones said she has contacted the developer, the city of Tavares and other agencies seeking help. News 6 also provided her with information on how to request a flood assessment from Lake County.
Have a concern in your neighborhood? You can contact News 6 through the Neighborhood Network.
