Residents press Porter board for drainage fixes after repeated backyard flooding

Residents from several nearby blocks told the Porter Stormwater Management Board that recent storms have exposed longstanding drainage problems that now reach basements and yards.

Harless Daley (1505 Cedar) opened public comment by asking the board to "follow-up on the flooding issues we've been having at the house," saying prior plans exist but need revision. Town staff responded that prior plans for the Dune/Milky/Cedar area require additional surveying and modification and that "we're gonna have to survey so the property you have on Detroit ... and then we need to run a drain, or ditch north south of your house" to route water into Cedar Street and the existing right-of-way.

Mark Burke (1509) described road grade and ponding that funnels runoff into his property along Nolke Street and suggested trough or slot-drain systems like those seen in Dune Acres. Staff acknowledged a nearby inlet with an incorrect pitch and said they will engage the contractor (Dyer) to address punch-list items, clear plugged culverts and consider slot-drain or gutter/slot solutions where practical. The board noted alley constraints—12-foot width and heavy use by semis—when discussing in-street slot drains.

Staff also reported logistical steps: they will resurvey problem areas, adjust the earlier conceptual plan to capture the active watershed, and schedule additional field work and vac-trailer cleaning for plugged culverts. Board members urged prompt follow-up; no specific capital allocation was made at this meeting.