Largo residents, weighed down by the aftermath of Hurricane Milton and incessant rains, converged upon city hall to hold officials accountable for the overflowing creeks and the consequential flooding of their homes. Gripped with fear and frustration, homeowners from McKay Creek and Church Creek neighborhoods emerged from their waterlogged distress to demand immediate and effective action from the City of Largo.
Leslie Caplin, voicing the disenchantment of the affected populace, said, "We wanted the city to say, ‘Listen, we see that there's an issue with drainage. We are going to help each and every resident that is along the creek. We're going to shore up all your yards, we're going to shore up the seawalls, and you're going to make sure that no damage happens to you going on your home from the coming storms," as reported by FOX 13 News. Despite the cries for assistance, the meeting saw tempers flare, and many left without the assurance they so direly needed.
Al Nunziato, whose property abuts the tumultuous McKay Creek, also expressed his dismay. "If that didn’t happen, none of our homes on Crescent Drive would’ve been flooded at all," Nunziato said, "And I wouldn’t have lost half my yard. My property is gone, and my seawall. And you’re sitting here telling me that Largo has no culpability in this? That’s bull****," as he told WFLA News. His sentiments echoed the common thread of disbelief and expectation of municipal responsibility that tied the community together.
In addition to the personal plights, Judith Campbell lamented the physical damage, noting, "The force of the water flowing down McKay Creek was such a strong force that it took half of the backyard", revealing the severity of the creek's untamed power, in a statement obtained by WTSP. Despite homeowners' pleas and anger, Largo City Manager John Curp emphasized that the responsibility for maintenance lies with the property owners, a policy in effect since the 1950s, as per the city's assertions during the meetings.
The city, however, is not entirely inactive in its approach to the flooding crisis. According to a city representative, a plan is in motion to redevelop a golf course into a pond and passive park to alleviate flooding and improve water quality. This project stands as the city's highest legislative priority, aiming to address both immediate and long-term concerns. Moreover, to ease some burdens, the city has expedited the process by waiving fees for permits required for repair work, a strategic move rendered as a patchwork response to the swelling demands for systemic infrastructural fortification.
