No quick fix in sight for Anclote flooding problems

Aug. 27--NEW PORT RICHEY -- At a meeting for flood victims in the Pinellas-Anclote Watershed on Wednesday, Pasco County Administrator Michelle Baker told residents that Gov. Rick Scott that day had requested a disaster declaration from the federal government.

While Baker said she hoped Scott's request would lead to federal funds to help defray costs associated with recent flooding around the county, she was not confident the federal government would cover about $6 million in road damages.

Many of the roads that have failed since heavy rains began in late July already were damaged, Baker said.

"After Tropical Storm Debby (in 2012), they looked at Google and said, 'Those roads were already failing,'" Baker said.

No federal money was offered to fix roads that needed work before the storm.

People at Wednesday's meeting at the West Pasco Government Center -- like others from another watershed's meeting last week -- were frustrated about long-standing water issues.

Neighborhoods in the Pinellas-Anclote Watershed include Anclote River Estates, Elfers Parkway, Veterans Village and Natures Hideaway. The Anclote River runs through the watershed, from Starkey Wilderness Preserve south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Because many homes in the area were erected before the county established a flood ordinance in the early 1980s, they were not built to present-day flood standards, said Cindy Jolly, the county's development director.

Essentially, piping systems in older areas are smaller, "because the regulations were different than they are today," Jolly said.

Dave DeLoach of DeLoach Engineering Science told residents his firm is working on a multiyear project with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, or Swiftmud.

Among other things, the project will explore the feasibility of diverting some floodwater onto lands owned by Swiftmud, DeLoach said.

Several residents suggested that the county dredge the Anclote to alleviate flooding.

Baker said that would require permission from Swiftmud and the Army Corps of Engineers, which has jurisdiction.

"It will require permits and it will be expensive," Baker said. "Your perception is that it will help, but it's not always that easy."

Many residents also suggested that the county halt development in the area.

Baker said that is something the county cannot do, per state law, if developers obtain the correct zoning and permitting requirements.

Although much of the floodwater around Elfers had receded, many residents worried that flooding problems will continue.

Phyllis Wilburn, who lives in Veterans Village, said flooding in the neighborhood has been an issue for 30 years. She said the county never did anything to improve drainage in the area until after Tropical Storm Debby.

"It was a Band-aid on a major problem," she said. "Between July 28 and Aug. 3, my house flooded two times."

Anna Williamson, who also lives in Veterans Village, said her house flooded three times during Tropical Storm Debby and has flooded again. She said she has been staying at a hotel with her two young children and is "terrified" to bring them back to a house likely full of mold.

Jackie Smith, who lives off Elfers Parkway along the banks of the Anclote, acknowledged that residents in the area do not live in "typical subdivisions."

"We do take pride in our homes," she said. "We've endured heavy rains (in the past) and seen the river rise. It would take three or five days to (recede). Now, the money we pay in flood insurance is through the roof.

"This was a man-made problem. There's been too much residential and commercial development."

Her comments were greeted by a round of loud applause.

Shannon Hernandez, an Elfers resident who spearheaded the Anclote River Pickup Project, said she has lived on the river 40 years.

"It floods now more than ever," she said.

Hernandez said her team of volunteers has pulled sofas, 55-gallon drums, mattresses, trees and shopping carts from the river since she started the project about a year ago.

All of the debris inhibits flow patterns, she said.

Robert Hannah, who owns a home along the Anclote, agreed with Hernandez.

"The river is full of crap," he said. "I've seen three trees float by and block the river."

At the meeting, county officials said that the next Coastal Cleanup, on Sept. 19, will be expanded to one or more areas affected by recent flooding.

Joseph Mayer, who owns the Seven Springs Travel Park on Old County Road 54, said the park's streets were underwater for days during recent flooding.

"There were never any problems before the construction of Millpond Estates," across the road from the park, Mayer said. "Millpond's pond crosses under the power line easement and onto my property."

He said a drainage ditch at nearby Park Lake Estates also affects his property, as it is in "dire need of cleaning."

"I can retain my own floodwater," Mayer said. "I shouldn't have to retain everyone else's."

As Wednesday night's meeting drew to a close, Baker implored residents to purchase flood insurance ("It's the only thing that can make you whole again," she said) and continue to try to flood-proof their homes.

Tropical Storm Erika was then churning in the Caribbean Sea and possibly headed for Florida.

"There's a storm on the way now," Baker said. "It's important to be vigilant. We're not going to fix all of the flooding problems in the next five days. Take steps now to mitigate flooding."

[email protected]

(813) 371-1860

___

(c)2015 the Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Fla.)

Visit the Tampa Tribune (Tampa, Fla.) at www.tampatrib.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.