LAKELAND, Fla. – Residents of the Lake Bonny community in Lakeland are demanding an independent investigation into the catastrophic flooding that occurred following Hurricane Milton in October 2024, citing years of infrastructure failures and official inaction.
The hurricane brought heavy rains that overflowed Lake Bonny, submerging homes under 17-18 inches of standing water for over three weeks.
Residents claim this devastation was not solely due to the storm, but a result of neglected infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and poor planning by the City of Lakeland and Polk County officials.
“Homes were completely destroyed, belongings were lost, and many families have been left struggling to rebuild with no assistance from their insurance providers,” stated the petition on change.org. “To this day, there is no clear plan from local officials to prevent this from happening again. Instead of taking accountability, the City of Lakeland, FL and Polk County, FL continue to pass the blame, leaving residents in limbo.”
The petition launched is calling for an independent investigation into the causes, management, and impacts of the flooding. Residents cite a lack of trust in local officials, claiming they have been met with “resistance, deflection, and non-supportive attitudes” when seeking answers and accountability.
Key Concerns Raised by Residents:
- Pump System Functionality and Maintenance: Residents question the operational status and maintenance of pumping systems before and during the storm and whether previous warnings about inadequacies were addressed.
- Flood Mitigation Infrastructure: The adequacy and effectiveness of current flood mitigation infrastructure, including canals and drainage systems, is being challenged.
- Emergency Response and Accountability: Residents are demanding an examination of the city and county’s decision-making processes during the storm.
The petition calls for an investigation mirroring the robust approach taken by Hillsborough County in its recent flooding investigation. This would include examining historical and current infrastructure issues, conducting engineering and hydrological analysis, and reviewing the emergency response timeline.
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Residents also emphasize the importance of adhering to Florida Statutes and FEMA guidelines regarding disaster response and government accountability.
Residents are formally requesting that the City of Lakeland, Polk County, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD):
- Engage a neutral third-party investigator.
- Publicly share the findings of the investigation.
- Implement recommended changes to prevent future flooding.
- Establish an oversight committee.
If local authorities fail to act, residents have vowed to escalate their concerns to state and federal agencies, including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, FEMA, HUD, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The petition also expresses support for mediation or arbitration to resolve disputes and ensure fair solutions for affected residents.
“Since the flooding, Lake Bonny residents have repeatedly attempted to work with city and county officials to seek answers and accountability. However, we have been met with resistance, deflection, and non-supportive attitudes,” says the petition. “This selective control of the narrative is unacceptable and demonstrates why an independent investigation is critical. Without an external review, residents have no confidence that necessary changes will be made to prevent future disasters.”
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