TAMPA, Fla. — A recent downpour has South Tampa residents concerned about drainage issues. Some say they experienced flooding similar to what they endured during Hurricane Milton, but this time it was caused by rainfall that lasted only half an hour.

With his shovel and tree trimmer, James Adair is taking matters into his own hands. He’s been clearing out storm drains and debris around them so that excess rainwater won’t flood his neighborhood.

What You Need To Know

  • A recent downpour has South Tampa residents concerned about drainage issues

  • Resident James Adair has begun clearing out storm drains and debris around them so that excess rainwater won’t flood his neighborhood

  • Adair is one of several South Tampa homeowners who were flooded out of their homes during Hurricane Milton

  • According to Tampa’s Communications Director, the city experienced 2.3 inches of rain in just 30 minutes, surpassing the capacity of any stormwater system

“I shouldn’t have to do it, and yeah, we’re paying for stormwater, but quite frankly, I haven’t seen any benefit from that,” he said.

Adair is one of several South Tampa homeowners who were flooded out of their homes during Hurricane Milton.

Some say last week’s downpour is a reminder of their ongoing concerns about poor drainage. Neighbors like Trina Bertoli and Linda Wilkinson have lived in the area most of their lives and say they have never seen rainfall cause water to back up into their driveways.

“It looks like I had riverfront again, like it did with the hurricane. It’s very concerning. We all suffered catastrophic losses,” said Bertoli.

According to Tampa’s Communications Director, the city experienced 2.3 inches of rain in just 30 minutes, surpassing the capacity of any stormwater system.

John Cano fears the situation will only worsen.

“We’ve got water on three sides here south of Gandy, so we need to accommodate not just the drainage situation, the road situation, the sewage situation. We can’t just, you know, continue to build without any repercussions for that,” said Cano.

Adair says he’s doing everything to protect his home and community.

“I don’t really care to be wet again. I just put $100,000 back into my house and I’d really like to not move back out of it for another eight months if we flood again,” he said. “So, if I can just cut some bushes, I mean, do some digging, at least I’ll get another couple of weeks until the city can get out here.”

According to Tampa’s Communications Director, “At any given time, there may be some drains that have stuff in them, so we’re constantly clearing them. But, they should be in good shape.”