‘It just can’t keep happening’: Temple family demands city help after recent flooding

TEMPLE, Texas (KWTX) - A Temple family is urging the city to step in and help them after their front yard flooded. They say there are problems with their drainage system that need to be addressed.

On Tuesday the front yard and driveway at the Casilhas home, located right by the Lake Belton dam, was completely flooded.

”This is probably the 4th time I’ve been here in eight years,” Darlene Casilhas said.

Darlene believes the city’s drainage system is to blame.

”I don’t remember what year they put this subdivision back here, but they didn’t figure out the drainage system,” Darlene said. “So every time we have a hard rain I get washed out.”

The most recent rain left her with potholes in her driveway and knocked over fencing.

”I just keep fixing it and I can’t do it anymore,” Darlene said.

Darlene’s daughter, Casey, is in a wheelchair. On Tuesday she couldn’t even access the driveway because it was completely covered in water.

”The flood could have easily turned into a natural disaster like a tornado and I would need to go out to the driveway,” Casey said.

The family said they’ve reached out to the city twice over the last few years with their concerns.

”They came out, walked out, took pictures and then left,” Darlene said.

But they haven’t seen any action yet.

”I would like answers when I contact and spend so much time on trying to reach out,” Casey said. “I would like answers and I would like something preventatively done.”

As Darlene figures out cleanup problems from the next downpour remain top of mind.

”It just can’t keep happening, they’ve got to do something with the water,” Darlene said. “I fear every time it’s going to rain.”

A Temple spokesperson gave the following statement about the Casilhas family’s concerns:

“The City recognizes the challenges faced by some residents due to flooding, which understandably poses a challenge for affected individuals and families. In response to these concerns, the City actively collaborates with neighborhood and subdivision developers to address drainage issues and explore potential solutions”