JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After heavy rains over the weekend and Monday, San Marco neighbors are once again dealing with flooding that’s turning streets into lakes and causing headaches for drivers and homeowners alike.
The city wrapped up Phase One of the LaSalle Street drainage project a few months ago, which involved installing a new pump station, constructing a new outfall, and new pipes.
But the problem hasn’t gone away. Neighbors like Kellan Vonrabenstein described the flooding in his neighborhood.
“The flooding goes from like, the average pothole, the average little puddle you see, to past the sign, past the rocks,” Vonrabenstein said. “Road was about knee deep.”
News4JAX reached out to city leaders to see exactly what is being done to help alleviate the ongoing issue. Though no one was available to speak on camera, a city spokesperson sent the following statement:
“Construction of the LaSalle Pump Station was completed, and it continues to be operational. The challenge remains increasing the pipe size from the low points in the neighborhood to the pump station, which the contractor is working on as Phase 2 of the project. They are evaluating the current conditions to determine what temporary measures might be helpful to alleviate local issues while construction of the longer-term fix continues, including the possibility of deploying mobile pumps either by the contractor or the City.”
A timeline on the project’s progress is readily available on the city’s website. Phase Two of the city’s plan is currently underway, which focuses on enlarging the underground pipes that move water to the new pump station.
Once the project is complete, it should
- Alleviate flooding on LaSalle Street and in the neighborhood
- Alleviate flooding at the intersection of LaSalle Street & San Marco Boulevard
- Improve the overall capability of the stormwater system in San Marco
Homeowner Terry Starkey said the process has been draining.
“It’s been painful, the south street station, and they are pumping millions of gallons of water back into the St. Johns River, so it’s been painful here,” Starkey said. “We were supposed to be finished within three months, and it’s going on six months now.”
Neighbors say the flooding gets worse when drivers create wakes that push water into yards and homes — especially during high tide.
“With the big rut in my neighbor’s yard there, people come through,” Vonrabenstein said. “They’re disrespectful, and they just don’t really care about our properties and our lawns and stuff.”
Starkey is hopeful but wants the project finished faster.
“I think they’re doing it right, but it’s taken too long,” Starkey said. “I’ve watched this project from the start, and I’m proud of the work, just want it done soon.”
News4JAX is keeping in touch with city officials and will share updates as soon as temporary fixes are in place. For now, San Marco residents are hoping for drier days ahead.
