Largo homeowners want city to take accountability for creek overflow, flooded homes
LARGO, Fla. - Unprecedented rain this year, coupled with historic rainfall from Hurricane Milton, caused homes to flood, which was never possible before.
Many blame drainage in nearby ponds and creeks.
McKay Creek overflowed because of unprecedented levels of water intake in Pinellas County in 2024.
Many Largo neighbors say that happened to them on McKay Creek, as do those who live near Church Creek.
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They brought their frustrations to city hall on Monday, Dec. 16.
Angry, frustrated, and heartbroken neighbors asked the city to take immediate action on water management of the McKay and church creeks and seawalls to create a safer situation for them.
They were also looking for the city to manage the water flow and the creeks.
The meeting got heated, and residents were frustrated by the situation. Many of their homes flooded after the creek overflowed after Milton.
"We wanted the city to say, ‘Listen, we see that there's an issue with drainage. We are going to help each and every resident that is along the creek. We're going to shore up all your yards, we're going to shore up the seawalls, and you're going to make sure that no damage happens to you going on your home from the coming storms,’" said Largo resident Leslie Caplin.
Town officials and Largo residents at a community meeting on the management of McKay River.
Caplin and her neighbors on Crescent Drive said they fear their homes will get washed into the creek.
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"My neighbor's house is hanging precariously. He doesn't have any yard. The seawall is gone. So, as he slowly erodes, my house is coming down with that. It's just scary," said Caplin. "Your home is your biggest asset. So as human beings, like as just a normal."
One neighbor gave FOX 13 News a video of his property showing the rushing water swallowed much of his yard.
Neighbors blame the city for directing additional water flow through the creek and for not addressing maintenance of the creek.
City officials laid out long-term plans, including turning the recently purchased Pinecrest Golf Club into a retention pond if they can get the funding from Tallahassee in the next legislative session.
An ongoing watershed study is happening. Officials said they were committed to helping connect neighbors to resources.
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City Manager John Curp said the historic rainfalls this summer and during the hurricanes were unprecedented.
"The rainfall was historic, over between 12 and 15 inches, during Milton. And quite honestly, the infrastructure in our community is not built to handle 100-year rains," said Curp. "And so it's something that the region needs to address. (The) City of Largo certainly is committed to helping resolve the issues."
Curp said he’s pushing for a regional response to this issue, including the county.
"It’s beyond the ability of any one city to solve the entire stormwater system. Rain does not know about municipal boundaries," Curp said.
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Still, neighbors left frustrated by the conversation.
"Never in a million years did I think that the city wasn't going to take some sort of responsibility to help us," said Caplin.
Neighbors said this is still ongoing; they are organizing their meeting next week and say they have not ruled out legal action.
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