Zephyrhills homeowner concerned about potential flooding this hurricane season

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — A few concerns are being raised by locals when it comes to storm infrastructure.

Areas throughout Pasco County experienced flooding last fall due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, flooding areas like Silver Oaks. It has some locals concerned for what may be in store this hurricane season.

“It just becomes a huge lake out here, when it rains enough,” said homeowner James Meyer.

For Meyer, last hurricane season was an eye opener.

“The water will rise through here after it’s quit raining, after a substantial thunderstorm,” he says. “I’ve witnessed a half an inch of flood flowing across the back pasture.”

Meyer’s family has owned this land and house since 1966, encompassing 58 acres. Now, Meyer says it’s a second home for him and his family. He says in the time that he has owned the property, there have been three instances of flooding. However, none worse than last year.

“I’m standing at that post, that electric pole over there and I’m taking the flood video,” said Meyer. “I’m standing there and panning. This whole area is covered. It goes all around from here.”

The event was so impactful that Meyer is now thinking of selling.

“I think it should be the next county park or city park,” he said.

At city hall in Zephyrhills, preparations are being made for improved storm infrastructure.

“We’re trying to be proactive and some of these solutions are very expensive,” said Shane LeBlanc, public works director for the City of Zephyrhills. “It takes a lot of time for design and construction.”

LeBlanc says the city is looking into grant funding to purchase property that was impacted by flooding as well as fund storm water construction projects.

“We’ve had a lot of issues with some of our drainage systems that we’ve been working on,” LeBlanc said. “We’ve cleaned out ditches, drainage pipes. Storm preparation is a full-time job for us, whether it’s hurricane season or not. When we get into the rainy season, we have to contend with storm water issues throughout the city.”

There has been new construction throughout the city, with talk of more homes on the way. But Meyer thinks that should be avoided in his area.

“It needs to not be developed,” Meyer said. “There’s nowhere for the water to run and if they get up there and put two thousand houses up on Pasadena Heights, holy cow.”

Conserving, instead, what is already here.

“I’d rather see all of this kept natural,” said Meyer. “Let mother nature have her area and the water will take its area.”