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'When it's coming, it's the Colorado rapids' | Excessive flooding continues in McGregor neighborhood

Residents say it comes from a runoff problem of excessive water from the McGregor farmland and the airport area.

MCGREGOR, Texas — Whether it's a few inches of rain or barely a sprinkle, one resident in Meadowland Estates and another on Sunrise Lane near Waco came to 6 News because they are dealing with excessive flooding.

Residents say it comes from a runoff problem of excessive water from McGregor farmland and the airport area.

Both cities, McGregor and Waco, are aware of the issue, but neighbors say nothing has been done and no one is taking responsibility for the problem.

Monique Duquette first noticed the problem in 2021.

"It's dangerous," Duquette said. "It's a rushing river. We have debris coming down in the water that's settling in our property. It's mucky, it's disgusting. I don't know if there's anything being brought over from the land over there that is detrimental to our health."

No matter how many inches of rain, it ends up feeling like a disaster.

"It doesn't take long for it to go down, it's just that when it's coming it's the Colorado rapids going down through here," homeowner Ken Kearns said. "It put water around three sides of my property."

From debris in the yard to fertilizer from the farm getting into lawns, some neighbors in the area have already had to replace their fences. 

They will soon have to worry about pool equipment, which will cost thousands of dollars to replace.

There's been back and forth about who can help.

"Nobody is taking responsibility for this problem," Duquette said. She's emailed the Cities of McGregor and Waco multiple times since 2021.

Bosque Lane divides the city limits of McGregor and Waco. A McGregor spokesperson told 6 News this has been one of the issues over the last few years because neither city can decide who is directly responsible for the flooding.

Waco Public Works director Amy Burlarley-Hyland had this to say when asked about the flooding and poor drainage:

The City has completed a regional drainage study that includes the drainage basin containing Sunrise Lane. The study modeled existing stormwater flows and drainage patterns. The study also identified potential preliminary solutions to alleviate the flooding concerns and improve drainage conveyance in this area. City Council recently approved a contract with a local engineering firm to move forward with surveying and design outlined in the study.

Duquette told 6 News she's heard that statement before so she hopes something is finally done soon.

"It insults my intelligence because this is not a drainage problem," Duquette said. "This is an overflow water problem from McGregor."

Frustrations are growing as the search for answers continues.

"I just hope that the attention, the publicity on the TV channel from my neighbor and now myself, that the City will put something into action," Kearns said. "Stop talking and put something in action. All this planning they've been doing for three years since I've been here, what are they doing?"

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