Crystal and Eric Roen have been living in Enterprise since 2019, and they consider it their forever home. Crystal Roen shared that when her husband was deployed for a year, it was to settle them in one place so they wouldn’t have to move around. Their neighbor, Denise Flowers, who arrived in 2020 after serving in the Navy for 26 years, wanted to be closer to her aging parents.
However, their dreams of settling down were shattered when they experienced flooding in the fall of 2019 due to a hurricane. Since then, every time it rains, water and trash from the neighboring area flood their property. Crystal Roen expressed their frustration, stating that they cannot use their yard and their fence has rotted away. Denise Flowers also shared her struggles, mentioning that her deck became so rotten that she had to spend a significant amount of money on repairs.
The constant flooding is a nightmare for Denise, keeping her awake at night, fearing that the water might enter her home. Despite reaching out to city officials, including the Mayor, for help, they have not seen any significant changes. City Engineer and Public Works Director Barry Mott explained that the subdivisions were originally built by private contractors in the 2000s and later handed over to the city, making it challenging to address the flooding issue now.
Mott assured that the city is exploring options to reroute water flow and reduce stormwater runoff intensity to alleviate the problem. However, after years of dealing with this issue, the homeowners are desperate for a permanent solution. Denise Flowers emphasized the urgency of the situation, expressing her frustration and exhaustion with the lack of progress.
Mott also mentioned that there is a water easement between the two subdivisions, but the presence of accessory structures like backyard pools within the easement might be exacerbating the situation. The homeowners are hopeful that the city will take concrete steps to address the flooding before it causes further damage to their properties.
In conclusion, the residents of Enterprise are facing a challenging situation with recurring flooding, impacting their daily lives and property. Despite assurances from city officials, the homeowners are still waiting for a lasting solution to this pressing issue. As they continue to advocate for action, they hope that their voices will be heard, and necessary measures will be taken to mitigate the flooding problems in their neighborhood.
