A resident of Sorrento is grappling with frequent flooding on her property, an issue she’s never faced until now. She contacted News 6 via the Neighborhood Network, worried that recent developments in the locality might be altering the natural drainage of stormwater.
Consistent rain along Elkridge Road in Sorrento brings a deluge of water onto this homeowner’s land, wreaking havoc on her garden. The problems have already forced her to shell out thousands of dollars to fix the damage.
Resident Betty Jones describes water gushing from the road, depositing mud and causing significant erosion in her yard. “There’s actual clay deposited here from the road base, continually washed away with every rain,” she expressed. The relentless water has carved deep channels across her property.
The inundation has even extended to the backyard, according to Jones. In a bid to minimize the water’s impact, her family has tried placing bricks under their fence.
Footage from Tuesday captures water surging into the property, leaving a trail of muddy disorder. The situation is particularly disheartening for Jones, as she and her husband have spent a large sum readying their home for sale, only to witness all their efforts being washed away by the erosion.
“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.
The couple says they’ve lived at the home for 17 years without issues, but problems started earlier this year after nearby development began. Lake County data shows the home sits on the edge of a flood zone, and Jones worries additional development could make the situation worse.
“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.