ORLANDO, Fla. – As Tropical Storm Helene approaches the Gulf of Mexico, some Orlando residents are preparing for a potential impact less than a month after flash flooding near the Wadeview Park neighborhood.
Taylor Henderson lives in a home off Kaley Street and said she’s still recovering from the Sept. 1 rainstorm that dumped several inches of water in the area.
“The backyard was full of water. The streets were full of water,” said Henderson. “There was like a river just flowing through the neighborhood, basically.”
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The flood happened just down the road from the $13 million Delaney Avenue Improvement Project.
Henderson said she and several of her neighbors believe the construction has made the flooding situation worse.
“All of a sudden they’re working on the storm drains and something like this happens,” Henderson said. “I think it’s more than just a coincidence.”
The City of Orlando said the flooding wasn’t caused by the project and instead, the stormwater system became overwhelmed by excessive rainfall in a short amount of time.
The city said work is happening to relieve any areas experiencing flooding ahead of the approaching tropical system.
Specific to potential storm impacts, today Public Works crews will be out checking inlets, lake outfalls, and drainage well intakes, as well as monitoring and lowering lakes,” Public Information Manager Ashley Papagni said. “In addition, they will be inspecting construction sites to ensure inlets are not experiencing any blockages and that water is flowing efficiently.”
Henderson said she’s unsure what will happen with the storm but is also making preparations around her home.
‘We haven’t seen a heavy downfall since a few weeks ago, so we don’t know if it can happen again or not,” she said.
To report flooding in Orlando, residents may contact 407-246 2238 or fill out an online report.