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South Tampa flood relief project could soon be approved by leaders

Online Niel November 13, 2024

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Neighbors living in south Tampa are urging city leaders to approve a project to alleviate the constant flooding.

The South Howard Flood Relief Project involves the design and construction of a major stormwater conveyance system to improve drainage and reduce flooding along South Howard Avenue and adjacent neighborhoods, including Parkland Estates, according to the City of Tampa.

“Unfortunately, the leaks have completely failed. The sewer system was backed up and many neighbors here received storm water that was contaminated inside our homes and resulted in us having to rip out our floors, appliances and all of our belongings from the first floor,” said Kelsey Unsworth. .

Unsworth and her family exited their Parkland Estates home after flooding from Hurricane Milton.

“We can’t live in our house anymore and we have two young children aged five and six, so you know, it’s been really upsetting for them. Very stressful,” Unsworth said.

Nearby, Keirsten Battaglia also had water in her home during Hurricane Milton.

“The waterline was basically over the mailbox. He entered the house. We had two cars flooded and then they also went through the front door and basically through the garage door, so our first floor was flooded. We are in the process of redoing our first floor,” Battaglia said.

Those who live in Parkland Estates said flooding is a regular occurrence, not just during hurricanes.

“Everybody that lives in this whole area is affected by regular summer storms, not just a hurricane scenario,” Unsworth said.

“We flooded all summer,” Battaglia said.

Both neighbors hope the city will advance the plan to help mitigate flooding.

“We want to stay here, but we can’t flood our house every summer. So we’re not going to be able to do that unless they fix that,” Unsworth said.

But not everyone supports the plan.

Some neighbors fear the plan won’t alleviate flooding.

“They want to put 100 channels more than that and they can’t maintain what they have,” said Anneliese Meyer. “I think the answer is to study this a little more deeply. We already know that he hasn’t been coming to this neighborhood for a few years, so take the time to study him more deeply and study him to the north. I don’t think the project gives us enough information at this point.”

Meyer also worries the construction will disrupt businesses and homes during construction.

“The neighbors here on our historic street are very concerned about their homes. They’re over 100 years old and we’re very concerned about all these cars coming in here and these houses being damaged,” Meyer said.

Details of the plan include:

Design and construction of a major stormwater conveyance system to mitigate frequent and dangerous flooding in Parkland Estates.
The project will improve drainage along South Howard Avenue and be a major stormwater conduit that other projects can connect to in the future to reduce flooding in adjacent neighborhoods.
Includes upgraded water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Reimagined South Howard Avenue streetscape with wider sidewalks, on-street parking, improved landscaping and expanded decking for safer and more enjoyable walking, shopping and dining.