Wellington Woods resident urges faster flood mitigation after two hurricanes flooded neighborhood

Terry Sherdum, a Wellington Woods resident, told the DeLand City Commission on July 21 that several homes in her neighborhood flooded during Hurricane Ian and again during later storms and urged the city to speed flood mitigation work, including pumps and buyouts.

Sherdum said Hurricane Ian produced deep flooding in parts of Wellington Woods — she described water levels up to thigh-deep and multiple homes with significant interior water damage — and that a later storm again inundated the neighborhood, causing septic-system failures and property damage. She said residents called city staff repeatedly ahead of storms and felt the city’s response was slow.

Sherdum asked the commission to prioritize pumps and other mitigation measures to prevent repeated flood damage; she recounted assisting an elderly neighbor who lost more than $200,000 in damage and praised city crews’ on-the-ground work while urging faster action.

Mayor Clowden said the city has made flood mitigation a priority, including property acquisitions in high-risk areas, and acknowledged that some homes may ultimately be purchased to reduce repeated exposure. Staff said the matter is part of ongoing floodwater mitigation planning and project work.

The commission did not adopt new measures at the meeting but confirmed the neighborhood is among active priorities for mitigation and buyout programs and asked staff to continue outreach and updates.