‘We become lakefront property’: Polk County residents in flood-prone areas brace for Helene

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Polk County residents who live in flood-prone areas are preparing for even more trouble from Hurricane Helene this week.

“This is our lake,” said Chris DeRidder, pointing to the grassy area between her home and her neighbor’s home.

She said her yard was filled with so much water this month, she had ducks swimming in it.

DeRidder and others in her neighborhood know to expect rising, pooling water when Hurricane Helene arrives Thursday because it floods during an everyday summer storm.

“Every time it rains, everything, we do not drain,” she said.

DeRidder lives in Country Club Estates, a 50-year old neighborhood off of Imperialakes Boulevard in Mulberry.

Residents said a defunct and unkept golf course nearby makes drainage issues worse.

“It doesn’t drain because it doesn’t have a place to drain,” DeRidder said. “The golf course ponds don’t allow our water to go anywhere.”

“On a regular day, we become lakefront property in our yards, in our streets,” said Judy Swem, who also lives in Country Club Estates.

Swem has sandbags at the ready all summer, but Wednesday, she laid down more reinforcements, with the expectation water will rise from Hurricane Helene.

“We’re probably going to be landlocked in here for most of the rest of this week and maybe early next week,” said Swem. “It’s a danger to our seniors and our families with young children. If somebody gets into an emergency situation, being able to get down 12-18 inches of water is ridiculous.”

Imperialakes Boulevard, which is the main entrance and exit through the subdivision, is known for chronic flooding during rainstorms .

Bill Skelton, project management liaison for Polk County Roads and Drainage Division, told News Channel 8 a $9 million construction project is set to begin work in the new year to improve drainage along Imperialakes Boulevard.

“Work includes constructing two retention ponds, new and larger reinforced concrete stormwater pipes, drainage structures, curb and gutter, and related roadway upgrades,” Skelton wrote in a statement.

The drainage improvements are primarily along Imperialakes Boulevard, Skelton said, but “access benefits should extend to Country Club Estates homeowners.”

While drainage improvements are primarily along Imperialakes Boulevard, access benefits should extend to Country Club Estates homeowners.

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