Cape residents ask city for flood control; city says it's not its problem to solve

Cynthia Adams watched the flowing muddy water inching up the side of the drainage ditch several feet behind her house Wednesday.

Adams, who lives at 1058 Stewart Drive, worries that stormwater flooding will one day swamp her house.

"It keeps creeping more this way," she said as she surveyed the rising floodwater behind her home. "I don't want my house to wash away."

She and several of her neighbors on the short cul-de-sac street said they want the city of Cape Girardeau to clean out the ditch and address the stormwater problem.

But deputy city manager Molly Hood, who visited the area last week, said the drainage ditch is the responsibility of the property owners. Hood said the city has no drainage easements in that neighborhood.

Neighbors on Stewart Drive discuss the drainage ditch behind their houses Wednesday in Cape Girardeau. Storm water has reached up into their yards during heavy rain.Fred Lynch

Adams and her neighbors said they would be willing to provide the necessary easements. But Hood said a solution isn't that simple.

"There are many areas around the city that have a similar situation," Hood said.

Addressing such stormwater issues can be expensive.

"These aren't cheap fixes," she said.

The city, she said, would have to be careful any improvements did not affect people farther downstream.

An overturned table creates a waterfall in a drainage ditch Wednesday behind Frank Sitze's house on Stewart Drive in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

Stewart Drive residents said the narrow ditch is only a few feet deep and clogged with tree limbs, bushes, weeds and debris. Several storm drains empty into the drainage ditch, they said.

Frank Sitze of 1048 Stewart Drive said stormwater frequently overflows the ditch and flows into his backyard.

"It gets up in my shed," he said.

Sitze used to grow a garden in his backyard.

"I would like to put a garden out again," he said.

But Sitze said he won't do so because of concern flooding would wipe out his crop.

Heavy rains earlier this year swamped his and other backyards along Stewart Drive.

Tammy Enderle, who resides at 1054 Stewart Drive, described stormwaters as "a fast-moving river."

Adams and Sitze said the flooding has grown worse in recent years.

Enderle said if something is not done, floodwaters may end up in her basement one day.

Sitze, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1949, said the flooding has been more severe over the past 10 or 12 years. He claimed the installation of a storm sewer pipe at Hopper Road added to the problem.

Sitze said he believes the city should address the issue.

"I do feel it is the city's responsibility," he said.

Stewart Drive residents brought their complaints Tuesday night to the Cape Girardeau City Council, urging it to address the situation.

Jeff Crain, who lives at 1060 Stewart Drive, said flooding is a major problem.

"In my backyard, it gets deep enough that things float away," he said.

City manager Scott Meyer said there is a "legal side" to stormwater management that is "not customer friendly."

He told the council, "If you attempt to solve the problem, then you own it."

Mayor Harry Rediger suggested the city council hold a study session to review stormwater issues citywide.

Hood said such a session could happen within the next several months.

According to Hood, the degree of stormwater management varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Years ago, subdivisions were built without stormwater-control requirements. Today, developers must abide by stormwater regulations, she said.

"With new subdivisions, we get utility and drainage easements," she said.

Hood said she understands the neighborhood's concerns. She said this year's wet weather has not helped.

"We have had a lot of flash flooding," she said.

For now, Stewart Drive residents only can watch the skies and worry about the next flash flood.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

1000 block of Stewart Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.