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Residents worried about rain, hurricanes as draining issues persist in Mandarin

Just a few minutes of rain caused inches of water to build up in a Mandarin neighborhood.

The people who live there said they are worried minor flooding could turn to major destruction in a big storm or hurricane.

Cellphone video that Carolyn Claverie took Tuesday night showed flooding as a storm was passing through her neighborhood.

“It was deep enough for a car to be flooded,” Claverie said.

She said it is a sight that is far too common on Indian Walk Drive when it rains.

“If it’s real hard for a good 30 minutes, the street floods,” Claverie said.

Action News Jax was in the neighborhood after Hurricane Irma, when several homes had flood damage.

“It affects the quality of our lives and the property values,” homeowner, Joel Levine said.

Christa Lytkowski said her house flooded and she isn't even in a flood zone.

“I’m just terrified every time it rains. I just have anxiety,” Lytkowski said.

Councilman Matt Schellenberg said he is aware of the drainage issues on the street.

“There’s no place for this water to go on high tide. The way they were built doesn’t allow drainage to occur,” Schellenberg said.

And to fix the problem, Schellenberg said the piping would almost have to be redone in the whole area.

Neighbors said they worry that this problem won’t be fixed before the next hurricane hits.

“If it couldn’t handle just an afternoon thunderstorm here, there’s no way we are going to survive a hurricane without flooding,” Lytkowski said.

Schellenberg said he has reached out to public works and JEA to find a solution for the flooding.