South Tampa Flooding/Drainage System (Sarasota, Seminole: house, neighborhood, high school)

[kerplunk]

I live in South Tampa, and every time it rains, you are basically stuck in your house or if you are out of your house, you risk your life (more or less) to get back to it because of the flooded streets and poor drainage system. I have read many news articles about this from years ago (here's an example), and still nothing has been done.

Two particular problem streets for me are Swann Ave. and S. Howard Ave. I wish they'd do something.

Last year, I owned a Porsche vehicle and I drove through a street that was apparently flooded more than I thought it was, and water got into the engine and ruined the engine. It was a mess. I'm not blaming anyone here, because South Tampa is a very old neighborhood and I realize the cost to improve the drainage system(s), but the city should at least try to do some improvements for the future. I love this area and just want to see it improve.

[Innertuber]

Didn't a couple guys get in trouble creating wakes on the jet skis along bayshore a few hurricanes ago? I think the elevation is actually a good bit higher in the middle areas of S Tampa. 19' or something I seem to recall.

[ferret111]

As far as I know, the city has been doing improvements here and there. A lot of the pipes and infrastructure is from the 50s and is pretty much functionally obsolete. The worst area that comes to mind is Dale Mabry between Neptune and Plant High.

Even though the streets are impassable to some degree during heavy rain, once the rain stops, it doesn't take too long for things to go back to normal.

[TB Fla]

The city has made improvements, but they can only do so much. Most of South Tampa is only about 5 ft above sea level.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by TB Fla

The city has made improvements, but they can only do so much. Most of South Tampa is only about 5 ft above sea level.

South Tampa was the same decades ago when I lived there. It's true, being so low there is only so much they can do. It's the price one pays for living near water a lot of the time. Parts of Sarasota have the same issues, as does Pinellas.

[crazynip]

That's part of what living in the oldest part of tampa, the sewers/stormdrains are old. Move then... and LOL at the "risking your life" thing. Please, a little dramatic there?

I think it's hilarious that homes in south tampa went for >$500 grand considering when I was in high school (80's), that was one of the least attractive areas of Tampa, and homes sold routinely in the ~$50 grand range...

[leetposter]

no damage in Seminole

[Innertuber]

Yeah lots of Hyde Park in the early 70s was skid row.

[Keeper]

I remember WestShore near Boy Scout flooding to the point it was above the tires on cars. There was a car washed away near the interstate at Westshore and 2 ppl died that were in the car. This was back in the 80s. The water went down in less than 30 minutes though once the rain stopped. The city also did some repairs and while it still would get some flooding nothing like that day

[Jessuf]

I've lived in Hyde Park for a while by Hyde Park Village right off of Swann and have never had problems. I see puddles after rain, but no flooding??