Residents tell Longview council Guthrie Creek work has caused repeated flooding at Town Lake Village homes

Multiple homeowners from Town Lake Village told the Longview City Council on Thursday that a recent pathway and related work in Guthrie Creek have caused recurring flooding that entered homes and damaged property.

Steven Thacker, a resident of 2 Camden Court, said his house flooded three times in two years and that recent work along Guthrie Creek has changed drainage patterns. "The water comes from behind us. The concrete and dirt y'all put in that in Guthrie Creek causes the water to back up on Glen Crest," Thacker said. He said city crews had previously inspected drains but left some blockages in place and that his home required about $100,000 in repairs after a prior flood.

Neighbor Kent Pause said repeated flooding has forced him to file three insurance claims and that his insurer dropped coverage; he described electric shock risks and contamination in floodwaters. "This is not just a private problem. It's a public safety emergency," Pause told the council and requested a full assessment, a transparent maintenance schedule, a stormwater improvement plan with timelines and public input, and emergency assistance options for impacted residents.

City staff told the speakers they could not respond during citizen comment but that someone would follow up after the meeting. Councilmembers acknowledged the complaints and asked staff to contact residents; no formal action or timeline was announced during the meeting.

Residents asked for immediate attention to blocked drainage structures and said they had previously raised the issue with a city staff member who they said postponed a deeper inspection. Councilmembers and staff later indicated that public works would follow up with the neighborhood to locate and clear obstructions and produce a plan for needed repairs.