SOUTH TAMPA, Fla. — Officials are planning to fix drainage problems as residents all over North Hyde Park deal with streets underwater when rain moves through the area — the city of Tampa labeled the rain as a 100-year event.
Benjamin Buckley has seen Rome Avenue flood before, but not like it did Sunday.
"In maybe an hour it seemed there were 4 or 5 inches of rain,” said Buckley.
The National weather service says its radar estimated 2 and a half to 3 inches in that area. But the amount of water on the ground depends on many things, including drainage.
The flooded waters left water lines on cars parked on the streets. Many people took video of the messy streets catching cars driving through the water.
"I almost saw a man get into a wreck out here. He was coming too fast. He hit the water and it sounded like a collision,” Buckley said.
The City of Tampa is trying to fix the drainage problems — they say the current system is undersized.
That's why crews will start work next year on two 8-foot by 8-foot culverts to help carry the excess water out to the bay.
Officials say it won’t solve the flooding issue completely, but will improve it.
If you ever see a clogged drain, especially during heavy rain or a storm, call the city. A crew will be sent out right away to move the debris and get it flowing again.
To see the stormwater quarterly reports from the city of Tampa,click here.
