TAMPA, Fla. — Homeowners living in Parkland Estates urged the Tampa City Council to act and approve a multimillion-dollar project to improve flooding.

Kelsey Unsworth has lived in Parkland Estates for five years.

She rebuilds her house after Hurricane Milton flooded it.

“We don’t want the flooding to happen again next summer and us to find ourselves in this situation again. It’s been extremely hard, emotionally, mentally and financially,” she said.

Neighbors said an afternoon storm had already caused street flooding.

“I think we counted about ten times last summer, the water rose above street level and that’s just unacceptable, so Milton was definitely just the tip of the iceberg” , said Harry Coleman.

Harry Coleman has lived in the neighborhood for six years. Hurricane Milton also flooded his house.

He lost his belongings, his household appliances and his family photos.

“I can’t spend the holidays at home. I haven’t been able to make gifts at my house. I won’t have the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving, Christmas at my house,” said his son, Harry Coleman.

Last week, neighbors showed up to a November 7 Tampa City Council meeting. They urged the council to approve a plan to improve flooding.

WFT

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

The mobility service director sent a memo to the Tampa City Council. It reads: “The Parkland Estates and Palma Ceia Pines neighborhoods have experienced frequent and severe flooding for decades. Chronic flooding has made roads impassable and endangered the safety and well-being of the public. The main cause of flooding is an insufficient drainage system. drainage and outfall needs Given the complexity of the project, conflicts between utilities and their impacts, staff has concluded that no temporary or short-term solution is viable.

The Mobility team will seek approval of a City Council resolution on Nov. 21 for engineering services, including route revisions.

Some people spoke against the project at the council meeting. Those opposed to the project worry about the impact construction could have on businesses or trees.

“Make the decision to move forward rather than waiting for everyone to agree when there are people who don’t want this to happen because their homes and businesses are not flooded. They don’t want to be disturbed,” Unsworth said.

The City of Tampa is hosting a public meeting on Monday, November 18 at 6:00 p.m. It will be held at Bayshore Baptist Church.

The Council is also expected to vote on the project on November 21.