The ‘perfect storm’ that brought record flooding to much of Lakeland
Hundreds of Polk County and Lakeland residents' homes were flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton, and nearly a week later, many remain partially submerged.
"It's unprecedented, that's for sure," said Laurie Smith, manager of Lakeland's Lakes and Stormwater Division who has worked 11 years for the city.
Three hurricanes have saturated the area with heavy rainfall, starting with Debby in early August, followed by widespread impacts of Helene and a direct blow from Milton.
"The entire watershed around each of our lakes is full, drainage systems are full, the ground is saturated, water's stacking up everywhere," Smith said. "All of our lakes eventually flow out of city limits into the Hillsborough River or into Peace River in Polk County. Both of these rivers downstream are very, very high. It's making it difficult to move water anywhere."