RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Residents of Richmond’s Southside and one of the City Council members who represents them say that not much has changed after years of reported storm drain problems which is leading to flooding in the area.
Donald Bryant lives off Richmond Highway and told 8News that, when rain is on the forecast, he says one of the first things he does is grab his shovel to prevent his front yard from turning into a pool.
“It ain’t no drainage around here, period,” said Bryant. “And when it rains, the water come all out into my yard.”
Bryant told 8News he doesn’t bother parking in the front yard when he knows rain is on the way, because getting his car out and navigating through puddles can be difficult.
Several residents of the area around Courtland Street say they’ve noticed the problem for years. Despite continuously reporting the problem to the city, some fear their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
“They say they are supposed to be fixing it, and I’ve been giving them time, but we’ve been seeing so much water,” said Bryant. “We’re trying to fix this community up, but we wanted them to try to help us to fix it.”
City officials have discussed bringing curb gutters and sidewalks to the area, but Bryant has yet to see that happen. With summer just a few months away, he is concerned the rain will lead to flooding, mosquitos and diseases if nothing gets done.
In the meantime, neighbors have taken measures into their own hands, creating makeshift storm drains of their own.
Councilwoman Reva Trammell, who represents the city’s 8th District, told 8News she’s tried to get the city to fix the problem for years, but she hasn’t received frequent updates on the project.
“The problem is, it’s always been, ‘We don’t have enough money. We don’t have enough this, enough that,’ and I’m like, ‘Really? Really? These are taxpayers, find the money.’ You don’t have this across the river. Why in the hell do I have to have it in my district?” said Trammell.
Trammell says she plans on bringing these concerns up again during Monday’s City Council meeting with the hopes that something will get done soon.
“We’re sick and tired of being told, ‘We’re going to get to it, we’re going to get to it.’ When?” said Trammell.
