Lexington, KY, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Residents of Bermuda Avenue in Lexington, KY, are voicing their frustration over persistent flooding that affects their homes and properties. Tracy Whited, a longtime resident, highlights the severe flooding covering driveways and yards, with city improvements not scheduled until 2029. City engineer Andrew Grunwald confirmed plans to address the flooding in phases, but residents are concerned about the lengthy timeline amidst worsening conditions and climate change impacts.
Lexington, KY – Longtime resident Tracy Whited is expressing frustration over ongoing flooding problems affecting Bermuda Avenue. Whited, who has lived on the street for nearly 40 years, reports that persistent flooding covers his entire driveway and yard, creating challenges for homeowners in the area. Despite having communicated with city officials, including his district’s council member, he faces an uncertain timeline regarding a resolution to the issue.
The flooding is particularly severe near a “no outlet” sign on Bermuda Avenue and has been worsening over the years. Concerned about the impact of climate change and urban development, residents like Whited are pushing for quicker action as the city’s projected fix is not scheduled until 2029.
City engineer Andrew Grunwald confirmed that plans are in place to address the flooding. The first phase of the project will focus on nearby Rosemary Avenue. Improvements on Rosemary Avenue will involve redirecting overland water flow into storm sewer pipes before work begins on Bermuda Avenue.
After the completion of the Rosemary Avenue enhancements, which include relocating utility lines for sewer, gas, and power, city workers will turn their attention to Bermuda Avenue. This project’s scope entails tearing up the existing roadway, constructing new curbs and gutters, installing new storm drains, and renewing the sanitary sewer line.
The city’s current timeline aims to complete the Bermuda Avenue work within three years after the Rosemary Avenue project wraps up. However, Whited’s extensive experience with flooding has created palpable frustration, as he believes the timeline is too lengthy for those currently dealing with severe water accumulation.
The ongoing flooding issues are affecting more than just individual residents; they raise broader concerns about infrastructure adequacy and the capacity of city services to handle increasing rainfall and runoff. As the potential for worsening weather events grows, residents are left hoping that city improvements on Bermuda Avenue will come sooner rather than later.
Background Context
Flooding in urban neighborhoods can stem from a combination of poor drainage infrastructure, increased impervious surfaces due to development, and broader climate change impacts. In Lexington, the current conditions have come to the forefront as residents like Whited face longstanding issues that can lead to property damage and safety concerns. The planned work aims to mitigate these challenges as part of long-term infrastructure investment by the city.
Future Steps
The plan to solve the flooding issues along Bermuda Avenue is a part of a wider city initiative to enhance overall stormwater management. This comprehensive approach seeks to ensure that the infrastructure upgrades will sufficiently address current and future challenges related to urban flooding.
FAQ
What is the main flooding issue reported by residents?
Residents of Bermuda Avenue, particularly Tracy Whited, have reported flooding that covers their driveways and yards.
When is the city planning to fix the flooding problems?
The city plans to address the flooding issues at Bermuda Avenue in 2029, after completing improvements on Rosemary Avenue.
What will the improvements on Bermuda Avenue include?
The improvements will involve ripping out the existing street, installing new curb and gutter systems, new storm drains, and renewing the sanitary sewer line.
Why is there a lengthy timeline for the flooding fixes?
The timeline is based on the city’s plan to work on neighboring projects first and the complexities involved in relocating utility lines.
How has the flooding problem changed over the years?
Residents have indicated that flooding has worsened over the years, raising concerns about the urgency of the situation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Record Rainfall and Flooding
- Wikipedia: Flood
- WTVQ: Frustration Over Flooding in Lexington
- Google Search: Urban Flooding Management
- Kentucky.com: City Flooding Initiatives
- Google Scholar: Flooding in Urban Areas
- WXII12: Flood Risk in North Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood Management
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
