LAKELAND, Fla. — Residents on Oakmont Lane shared new concerns Monday after dealing with flood damage for weeks. 

The water is from Lake Seward's basin, which residents say was dry until drainage from nearby neighborhoods began filling the basin around the time of Hurricane Helene in September. Polk County began pumping the area after the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.

Though progress has been made, water continues to flow in.

What You Need To Know

  • Residents say Lake Seward basin started to refill with water after Polk County stopped pumping the area

  • County officials have turned the pumps back and are looking to the state legislature for funding for a long-term solution

  • Homeowners are hesitant to rebuild due to concerns about the basin re-flooding

Resident Tracy Boyette said her home of 17 years was underwater, coating her walls with mold and damaging her floors. Since the flood, Boyette says she has reached out to several leaders and organizations for help.

“No one came to help us,” she said.

Thankfully, a crew with AmeriCorps Vista arrived Monday to tear out the damaged sections of her home.

However, Boyette doesn’t know what comes next. She and her neighbors say they’re hesitant to rebuild because the basin started to refill with water once the county stopped pumping last week.

“I’m not redoing anything until I know I’m safe,” Boyette said. “It’s stupid to rebuild something if they’re going to keep re-flooding us.”

Jay Jarvis, director of the Polk County Roads and Drainage Division, said crews have turned the pumps back on and are monitoring water levels. He said the county also plans to ask the state legislature for funding for a long-term solution during the FY 25/26 legislative discussions.

In the meantime, Boyette says AmeriCorps crews shouldn’t be the only ones at her doorstep.

“Make us feel like you care,” she said. “Come out here and see us. Tell us what is in your plan. We can’t wait for a year or a couple of years. We need something now.”