Punta Gorda officials monitor drainage after streets flood from rain

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — Heavy rain the past week left some Punta Gorda streets temporarily flooded after several inches of rain fell in a short amount of time.

In some areas, more than five inches of rain fell in less than an hour, overwhelming stormwater systems and causing water to pool in streets, yards and nearby canals. While much of the water had drained by the next morning, some areas were still damp or holding water into the next day.

Neighbors say the sudden downpour caught many people by surprise.

Paula Stankich, who has lived in Punta Gorda for more than two decades, said the rainfall was intense enough to turn her street into what looked like a river.

“Our street became a river,” Stankich said. “It’s kind of concerning because hurricane season isn’t even here yet.”

Stankich said she reached out to the city after noticing the flooding, concerned about whether the drainage system was functioning properly. City officials responded, telling her that because the water drained overnight, the system appeared to be working as intended.

Other neighbors say they’ve seen similar scenes when heavy rain falls quickly, even outside of hurricane season.

Bob Lariche, a Punta Gorda Isles resident, said nearby canals and drainage ditches can fill rapidly during intense storms. However, he said the water usually recedes once the rain stops.

“It fills up our ditches and comes up our driveway,” Lariche said. “But usually once the rain stops, it drains pretty quickly.”

City officials say storms like the one over the weekend can temporarily overwhelm drainage systems when large amounts of rain fall in a short period of time.

Assistant City Manager Mike Bonasera said much of Punta Gorda sits in or near a flood zone, which means temporary street flooding is not uncommon during heavy storms.

“We absolutely love the rain, especially with the drought,” Bonasera said. “But it does bring flooding.”

Bonasera said public works crews monitor streets during storms and respond to resident concerns when flooding occurs. Crews also regularly inspect the city’s stormwater infrastructure to make sure it is functioning properly.

The city uses rain gauges to track rainfall totals during storms and sends crews out to assess areas where water may be pooling. Public works also use a small robotic camera that travels through underground storm pipes to look for blockages or damage in the drainage system.

Bonasera said that technology helps crews identify potential issues before the next storm arrives.

City officials say they will continue monitoring conditions as another round of rain moves through the area.

They are also reminding residents to avoid driving during heavy storms whenever possible, especially if roads become flooded.