Residents who live on Wrens Way in the Largo/Clearwater area say they've been dealing with street flooding for years, and they're tired of it.

  • Problem caused by collapse storm drain, according to city officials
  • Solution requires repairs on private property
  • Property owner refuses to grant city workers access

"After a bad rain we can't get out," said resident Bill Johnston. "I have to drive across my front yard to get out, and the water is often up to the door, which is bad for the brakes. It's just a mess, you can't get out."

Largo's City Manager says the problem is a collapsed storm water drain. Engineers said it is fixable, but the repairs involve a pipe that's on private property. They said the property owner refuses to give them access.

Johnston calls it "frustrating."

"We had a beautiful street here," said Johnston. "We mowed the cul de sac and it just looked beautiful. Now there's a hole here and it's not sanitary with the sewage right out there in the middle of the street. It's a mess and it just keeps going on and on."

Other residents said so far no water has come into their houses due to the flooding, but it has come close. They also said their street is up against the property owner's backyard, so the flooding doesn't affect him.

The city attorney is looking into whether any legal actions can be taken to resolve the issue.

We did try to contact the property owner, but he could not be reached for comment.