CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Chesterfield County woman is speaking out about what she believes is causing flooding issues in her backyard.
Ashley Robinson believes the drainage problems in her yard are due to construction taking place on Otterdale Road, but the county told 8News they don’t believe the construction is the reason.
Robinson moved into her home in August 2022, but around Dec. 2023, she noticed her backyard began to flood more and more every time it rained. She said this is a concern for her because of the trees she has on her property.
“If we get a good storm or hurricane, even, [the trees] might end up [falling on] my house,” Robinson said.
Robinson’s home backs up to Otterdale Road, where widening and drainage improvement projects have taken place over the last several years. Robinson said since she’s moved in, she’s seen the road be raised due to the construction. She said she believes this is playing a part in the flooding in her yard.
“You can see [from the yard], there is a drainage culvert that goes underneath that road,” Robinson said. “And the drainage that’s coming into my yard is upstream [from] that.”
She sent a video of the flooding to her county supervisor on Jan. 8 and said she’s been waiting for a response since. 8News reached out to Chesterfield County to ask if her concerns have been addressed. A spokesperson responded with the following statement:
“Members of the Chesterfield Department of Transportation (CDOT) looked into the concerns of the homeowner. Upon further investigation, CDOT determined drainage from both the Otterdale Widening and the Otterdale Drainage projects were not responsible for directing water to the homeowner’s property.”
When asked where they believe the water is coming from, the county said they will work directly with Robinson to find the source. Robinson said she just wants something to be done before it’s too late.
“It’s gotten worse and worse and worse,” she said. “To the point now where it’s quite a substantial amount of damage to my yard [and] the fence, and hopefully doesn’t affect infrastructure, especially the trees right behind me.”
