Wilkes-Barre resident urges city action on clogged storm drains, flooding on Garland Street

Resident, a public commenter, told city officials during the meeting that stormwater runoff and clogged drains on Garland Street have repeatedly backed up into her basement and left standing, sandy water that freezes in winter, leaving her worried about damage to her car.

“I really, really don't wanna buy another car,” the Resident said, describing repeated ice and standing water in front of her house. She said city crews visited twice to remove debris from a basement and that a crew returned after a call to unlock a drain, but that sandy water remained.

The commenter referenced a newspaper report dated Oct. 16, 2025, in the Times Leader and a story by Jason Gross about planned work on sewer and stormwater systems. She said she was “thrilled to find out that the sewage and water basin problems are being put to be addressed,” and asked whether Garland Street would be included in the scheduled work.

She also asked that the city send a letter to the manager of a nearby housing project asking managers to stop mowing grass into the roadway and to prevent tenants from pushing clippings into the street, which she said contributes to clogged drains. “Buy yourself a garbage container if you don't have one. Don't dump your garbage on the street,” the Resident said, urging neighbors to stop dumping trash in the roadway.

The remarks during public comment described the problem as recurring through winter months, when runoff and pooled water freeze and block drainpipes, and requested clearer communication or action from city management. The transcript records no council motion or vote on the matter during the meeting. No city response or staff commitment to a specific remedy was recorded in the provided transcript segments.