MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Some residents who are in a low flood risk areas, or maybe not in a flood zone at all, had major flooding problems last year. 

We spoke to a Manatee County resident who is installing pumps on his property to move the water out and prevent issues in the future.

What You Need To Know

  • Bradley Anderson and his family live in a low-risk flood zone in Parrish 

  • Their property flooded for the first time last storm season

  • Now Anderson and his family have invested in new equipment and techniques to hopefully prevent another flood

Heavy lifting is part of Bradley Anderson’s new plan.

“Right now we are starting the process of being proactive,” he said.

In this case, he’s creating a drainage path by moving dirt.

“And moving a lot of dirt to raise certain portions of the property to drain water where we need it to,” he said.

Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)
Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)

This new approach comes after his family’s Parrish property flooded multiple times during last year’s hurricane season.

“I don’t want to become a statistic. Seeing so many folks that assume that what they’re doing is going to be enough. I need to control the part that I can,” he said.

But no one can control the force of a storm. Anderson sent us video of flooding on his property.

It’s in Flood Zone X, considered to be low-risk, yet flooded in Debby, Helene, and Milton.

“We would be sloshing through water and it ran up all the way to the front of the home,” he said.

Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)
Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)

Our weather experts shared data from an Ellenton rain gauge for those three storms.

The total from both Debby – 14.6 inches – and Milton – 6.2 inches – exceeded the monthly averages, while Helene also dropped nearly 2.5 inches of rain in central Manatee County.

If the property floods again, Anderson says he will use a pump to drain the water.

“As the water starts to rise, the pump kicks in. This provides a lot more peace of mind,” he said.

And there’s more than 500 feet of pipe that he will run to the front of their land.

“We’re just taking all necessary precautions because you never know when one storm or the surrounding impact is going to come through,” he said.

Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)
Bradley Anderson's property flooded property. (Courtesy: Bradley Anderson)

The water will then dump out here into a culvert.

“Our hope is that the utilities work the way they are designed to,” he said.

From priming the pipes on his property, to preparing a large hole for excess waste, it will take weeks to complete everything. And even then, the homeowners tell me they are worried it won’t be enough.

“This is a lot of labor — a labor of love,” he said.

But it’s also been a large financial investment for his family.

“The pumps alone, we’re in the low thousands. The equipment rental itself — I mean, you’re talking hundreds of dollars per day,” he said.

Each day, as Anderson continues to prepare, he is counting on this project to safeguard the property for future storm seasons.

Anderson tells us it will take a month to complete moving the dirt to elevate part of his property.