Thonotosassa residents say water was released without warning, suing state for negligence amid historic flooding

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Lake Thonotosassa is seeing historic flooding.

Residents along the lake turned to 8 On Your Side after the flooding and they say it wasn’t because of the storm, but instead claim the water was released without warning.

“That’s lake water,” said resident Jamie Slatton. “They’re using it as a stormwater lake. It’s controlled by dam. The water went around the dam.”

Slatton said Lake Thonotosassa used to have a natural shoreline, but a day and a half after Milton, the lake quickly began to rise.

“All of a sudden this water just ran up on us, so Lake Thonotosassa has never flooded like this before,” said Slatton.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District says the lake was drawn down almost 14 inches, which is the maximum amount possible.

“No, no, no, no, they dropped the water three inches,” said Slatton. “Across the lake, it’s up 10 feet and it’s run over the hills and people’s yards.”

Farm owner Don Balaban said water rushed 400 feet into his land, claiming water was released.

“They could’ve got the lake level down what they’re telling you is they can’t because they never maintained it and they can’t get the water out,” said Balaban.

SWFWMD said it has not redirected water into Lake Thonotosassa, but Slatton and Balaban believe otherwise.

“They flooded us to death,” said Balaban. “They have no respect for the property owners, the businesses, or anybody out here. They’re just pouring water in, and they knew it’s negligence by the furthest I’ve ever seen.”

SWFWMD said water naturally flows from the south in Baker Canal and Baker Creek into Lake Thonotosassa and is being released through the Flint Creek structure to the north to the Hillsborough River.

The district said the water is so high that the Flint Creek structure is underwater, and the water is flowing over the nearby land.

According to the structure operations team, the district has the water control structure on Lake Thonotosassa wide open and it has been wide open since before the storm.

“Flint Creek has never been dredged or maintained in 75 years to get the water out,” said Balaban.

Those who live and work here said it’s time for both Flint and Baker Creeks to be dredged.

“We’re not in a flood zone,” said Slatton. “It’s a shame. This is something that happens with building, growth, things like that. It’s poor planning and we got poor performance.”

Balaban and other community members plan to sue SWFWMD for what they call negligence.

“It’s a natural shoreline if you’re gonna raise the lake level and keep it high you better build a seawall for the people there’s no common sense,” said Balaban.

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