Resident Blames Subdivision Pond Overflow for Severe Backyard Flooding After Hurricane Debby

Anna Ritzenthaler faced significant flooding in her backyard after Hurricane Debby, reporting that she had six feet of water where her kids typically play. She expressed skepticism about the amount of rain alone causing such extreme flooding, indicating that other factors were at play.

In a bid to document the unprecedented situation, she shared videos of her children navigating their flooded backyard in canoes, demonstrating the unusual water levels that transformed their property into what resembled a small lake.

To gain a better perspective on the flooding, Ritzenthaler’s husband utilized a drone to survey the area. Through this aerial view, they discovered that the pond created by a nearby subdivision had overflowed.

According to Ritzenthaler, this overflow led to water flowing into the Wade Canal, which then directed a significant volume of water onto their property. She speculated that much of the six feet of water in her yard originated from this breached pond, emphasizing the natural assumption that their property was adversely affected by the neighboring development.

The flooding resulted in the loss of chickens and equipment, marking a distressing setback for the Ritzenthalers, who have lived on the property for five years. Ritzenthaler noted that her family had never experienced such flooding prior to the construction of the nearby subdivision.

The situation raised concerns for the future, especially as she learned that plans were underway to build 16 more houses in the area, which she fears will exacerbate flooding conditions during future storms.

In an effort to seek assistance and solutions, Ritzenthaler contacted the county to inquire about measures being implemented to prevent similar flooding incidents.

A county spokesperson responded by stating that engineers would review the evidence provided by Ritzenthaler to determine if there had been a failure with the stormwater pond. They also reminded residents that flooding dynamics vary with each storm, as water naturally seeks the path of least resistance.

Frustrated by the situation, Ritzenthaler recounted her experience calling the county’s 311 service after the storm, only to be told that the flooding was expected in a 100-year flood event. She voiced her concerns that the new subdivision did not experience flooding due to its design, arguing that the developers should be responsible for managing the stormwater effectively.

Ritzenthaler insisted on the necessity for improved drainage solutions, such as creating additional ponds or deepening existing ones, to mitigate future flooding on her property.