Westside neighbor frustrated with drainage issues fear what Elsa will do to their homes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As Tropical Storm Elsa makes its way towards our area, neighbors on the Westside are concerned about their homes, after severe flooding and a lack of drainage along Mackinaw Street.

One homeowner, Ava Thomas, said though she lives inland, it looks like she lives on a lake and in a swamp, adding it isn’t what she signed up for.

“I looked out my door and it was nothing but water,” Thomas said. “I couldn’t see my grass, I couldn’t see anything, just water.”

That’s because of videos Thomas sent Action News Jax on Monday night, where you can see water taking over not just her street but her entire yard.

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“I’m disgusted, I am so disgusted,” Thomas said.

Thomas says if just rain on an average day can cause severe flooding, she fears what’s to come with Tropical Storm Elsa on the way.

“My anxiety is through the roof,” Thomas said. “Once a hurricane hits, that’s it. I’m done, this house is underwater.”

Thomas says she’s reached out to the city multiple times since January when she moved in, but says nothing ever got done.

Action News Jax called her district’s city council member on Tuesday, but was sent to voicemail.

Thankfully on Tuesday, public works were looking at the problem.

An employee told Action News Jax off-camera that the drainage issue was caused by a blockage in the pipes, saying the water isn’t flowing at the rate it should be, which is why backup issues occur.

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“It’s a start, but it’s a shame it had to get to this point. It’s a shame my house is ruined,” Thomas said.

Thomas says she’s praying that the work done today is a long-term solution to what’s been a frustrating problem.

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