Residents of Stone Island want answers as flooding problems continue

STONE ISLAND, Fla. — Stone Island was one of the worst-hit areas during Hurricane Ian and two months later, the flooding situation continues. in the area.

Residents were frustrated when they learned Deltona opened up the “big ditch” - the Lake Doyle to Lake Bethel emergency release - ahead of receiving emergency authorization from the Saint Johns River Water Management District.

The idea was to help alleviate flooding; however, it is still unclear what impact the move had.

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Just a couple of weeks ago, the roads in Stone Island were still impassable by car.

On Monday, things are looking much better, but residents are not out of trouble yet.

Annette Duke came to the city council meeting on Monday to ask for answers about her flooding and what will be a very long cleanup.

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“You guys have devastated my home. I am still flooded. I walked through 15 inches of water to get here today,” said Duke.

Duke told Channel 9 that on Oct. 13, the city received emergency field authorization from the water management district to operate the gates for the Lake Doyle-to-Lake Bethel emergency release, but the water was released before that.

“I wonder if you could provide me the data that was considered a reasonable amount of discharge and were the collateral effects considered of how you impacted mine and my son’s life?,” Duke asked council members.

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Hurricane Ian dumped inches upon inches of rain in Central Florida, flooding neighborhoods all over.

Duke told the commission that because her home was surrounded by water, the insurance company has not helped her yet and she is still waiting on FEMA assistance.

The county chair said Duke would get answers, but when Channel 9 asked for those answers, we were sent to the city and told the activity was performed by the city of Deltona.

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Duke was upset that she was not notified of the “big ditch” opening.

“We are busy trying to get things accomplished,” said Deltona interim city manager James Chisolm. “We don’t always go out and knock on everyone’s door.”

The city says they are doing everything they can, but it’s still unclear what that means for people on Stone Island.

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Channel 9 asked the city of Deltona again today if the dam was the cause of the major Stone Island flooding.

A city spokesperson told Channel 9 that he was looking for answers to our questions.

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