Days after the initial flooding, the Briar Bay community in West Palm Beach continues to wrestle with standing water that has reached garage doors and submerged driveways. Residents say the lingering high‑water levels are disrupting daily life and raising safety concerns.
Residents describe daily challenges
“This has been difficult to get out of the community without a big truck or SUV,” said Ariana and Alicia Willgh, longtime Briar Bay homeowners. The family also voiced worries about using electric vehicles, noting that charging stations are inaccessible and water‑logged power lines make plugging in hazardous.
“Because we’re afraid, we have to charge them daily pretty much if we’re going out. And we’re even scared to connect it because of the water lines. The water levels did get to the garage door, so they’re pretty much submerged the whole week,” Ariana Willgh explained, adding that the situation forced her daughter to stay elsewhere.
Work and family disruptions
Other neighbors report being unable to return home after leaving for work earlier in the week. “When I got back, it was just crazy. The waters were everywhere. Fortunately, I have a friend that allowed me to stay there. But I have my niece who lives with me and my great‑nephew, we’ve all been scattered over the place, and it’s been really frustrating to already have one car in the shop because of flooding,” said Tanoy Williams.
Preparing for future events
Residents say they are taking steps to mitigate future flooding. “We’re buying sandbags from now on. We already said that. Plus, higher vehicles and I have to get some rain boots,” said Tanique Lee, who also noted the need for higher‑clearance vehicles.
Lee identified two primary causes: “Number one, it’s too much water. Number two, the lakes overflowed because there was nowhere for the water to go.” Williams added, “All I’m just saying is whatever it is, I just feel it needs to be addressed.”
Calls for municipal action
The community is urging the homeowners association, property management, and city officials to intervene. “I really hope that the management, the HOA, and people from the city will actually help us because this is why we pay our taxes and our fees monthly. It really hurts to see the community like this,” Ariana Willgh said.
Local officials have not yet issued a formal response, but city public‑works representatives indicated they are monitoring the situation and will assess drainage improvements in the coming weeks.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
