Miller Lake residents press Volusia County for flood action after pumping stops

Miller Lake residents urged the Volusia County Council on March 4 to restart pumping and spell out long-term plans after weeks without active dewatering operations left homes and septic systems submerged.

Residents said the lake is unusually high for March and vulnerable if heavy rains or another hurricane come. “Miller Lake is as high as it's ever been this time of year,” said David Hill, who spoke during public participation. “What are the plans for Miller Lake and Miller Road?”

The concern drew a string of public comments. Monica Emerson said parts of her two-and-a-half‑acre property remain unusable and that one family has been unable to use indoor plumbing for 145 days: “This is just not an inconvenience. This is serious safety and health concern with rainy season fast approaching and hurricane season just around the corner.” Other speakers — including Catherine Levinson, Joshua Rivera, Reese Linton and others who identified themselves as Miller Lake residents — described submerged driveways, septic systems under water and a partially submerged vehicle in a backyard.

County Manager George Rectangle told the council the pause in pumping reflected conditions beyond county control. Rectangle said the City of DeBary has not been sending flow to the receiving facility and the Florida Department of Transportation’s work has helped but the DeBary quarry that receives the water needs time to recover. He also said the St. Johns River Water Management District’s authorization to pump had ended on Feb. 19.

“We have taken over nearly, I think, between 6 and 7 feet of elevation, water out of that basin,” Rectangle said. He said staff had met with DeBary and with the St. Johns district and were pursuing a longer-term pumping plan. He added that basin studies and additional property actions are being prepared.

Residents urged clearer communication and speed. “The time to act is now,” Joshua Rivera said. Several speakers said pumping had produced progress but stopped abruptly; others worried the pause followed litigation tied to nearby commercial properties in Orange City and asked whether the halt was retaliation.

County staff declined to discuss the litigation in public but confirmed there is active litigation and recommended correspondence concerning legal matters be routed through county attorneys. Officials said they would continue meeting with the city of DeBary and the St. Johns district to explore how to lower lake levels and improve resiliency before the rainy season. Rectangle said staff expects to bring additional actions related to property and lakeshore issues back to the council.

Ending: County staff told the council they will keep meeting with DeBary and the water district and prepare follow-up briefings; residents asked the county to provide a clear schedule for next steps. The council did not take formal action on Miller Lake during the meeting but members asked staff to continue outreach and updates.