📌 Our Lake Bonny Community Story

On October 9, 2024, Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida, bringing heavy rains and severe flooding. In the days that followed, Lake Bonny’s water levels continued to rise, eventually leaving homes submerged under 17–18 inches of standing water for over three weeks. This devastation was not just the result of the storm, but of years of failed infrastructure, lack of maintenance, and poor planning by city and county officials.

Homes were completely destroyed, belongings were lost, and many families have been left struggling to rebuild with no assistance from their insurance providers. To this day, there is no clear plan from local officials to prevent this from happening again. Instead of taking accountability, the City of Lakeland, FL and Polk County, FL continue to pass the blame, leaving residents in limbo with no answers, no support and no long-term flood mitigation solutions.

📌 What is at Stake?
If nothing changes, this will happen again. The City of Lakeland, FL and Polk County, FL continue approving new developments without upgrading the infrastructure and flood prevention systems that failed us when we needed them most. If leaders refuse to investigate their failures and invest in real solutions including flood mitigation, more families will lose their homes, more communities will be devastated, and officials will continue to ignore the voices of those they serve.

📌 Petition for an Independent Investigation into the Lake Bonny Flooding and Related Matters

We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Lakeland and Polk County, Florida, respectfully request an independent investigation into the causes, management, and impacts of the flooding that devastated the Lake Bonny community and affected residents across the region during Hurricane Milton.  This flooding, which caused catastrophic damage to homes, vehicles, and livelihoods, was not solely the result of natural forces but was exacerbated by systemic failures that require a thorough, impartial review to prevent future disasters.

Since the flooding, Lake Bonny residents have repeatedly attempted to work with city and county officials to seek answers and accountability. However, we have been met with resistance, deflection, and non-supportive attitudes. This selective control of the narrative is unacceptable and demonstrates why an independent investigation is critical. Without an external review, residents have no confidence that necessary changes will be made to prevent future disasters.

Our Concerns:

1. Pump System Functionality and Maintenance:
   Whether the pumping systems designed to regulate water levels were operational and properly maintained before and during the storm.
   A detailed review of maintenance records, inspections, and the timeline of pump activation during the crisis.
   Evaluation of whether previous warnings, such as the 2018 email referencing pump inadequacies, were addressed.
2. Flood Mitigation Infrastructure:
   The adequacy and effectiveness of current flood mitigation infrastructure, including canals, drainage systems, and lake level management protocols.
   Analysis of whether improvements could have reduced or prevented the scale of the disaster.
3. Emergency Response and Accountability:
   The city's and county's decision-making processes during the storm, including the activation of pumps, communication with residents, and coordination with other agencies.
   Identification of any lapses in oversight or failures to act that contributed to the prolonged flooding.
4. Comprehensive Investigation Criteria:
   We ask that the investigation mirror the robust approach taken by Hillsborough County in their independent investigation into recent flooding. This includes:
   Examining both historical and current infrastructure issues.
   Identifying the root causes of flooding through engineering and hydrological analysis.
   Reviewing the emergency response timeline and the effectiveness of implemented measures.
   Assessing the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved, including city, county, and state agencies.
   Ensuring the investigation complies with Florida Statutes on emergency management, environmental protection, and infrastructure oversight.
5. Future Risk Mitigation:
   Recommendations for structural and procedural changes to prevent similar devastation in the future.
   A transparent plan for implementing these changes, with clear timelines and accountability measures.
6. Florida Statutes & FEMA Guidelines on Disaster Response and Government Accountability:
   Florida Statutes Chapter 252 (Emergency Management Act): Requires state and local governments to develop and implement emergency response plans, ensuring proper coordination between agencies. Failure to do so may result in state-level intervention.
   Florida Administrative Code 62-330 (Environmental Resource Permitting): Regulates water management systems and flood control measures. An investigation should determine if these requirements were properly followed.
   FEMA Disaster Recovery Guidelines: Mandate that local governments ensure equitable and timely disaster response, prioritizing public safety and infrastructure protection. FEMA may conduct audits if funds were mismanaged.
   HUD Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR): Ensures that recovery funds are used transparently and effectively. A review should verify compliance with these regulations.

Why This Matters:
The Lake Bonny flooding has left families displaced and struggling to rebuild. Many have depleted their savings and endured significant emotional and financial burdens. Without a clear understanding of what went wrong, there is no assurance that similar events won’t occur in the future. Our community deserves answers, accountability, and a commitment to preventative action.

Our Request:
We formally request that the City of Lakeland, Polk County, and SWFWMD:

• Engage a qualified, neutral third-party investigator or firm to conduct a comprehensive review of the flooding events and related infrastructure, using the Hillsborough County investigation as a model.
• Share the findings of this investigation publicly to ensure transparency and rebuild community trust.
• Implement the recommended changes to prevent future flooding and safeguard the residents of Lakeland and surrounding communities.
• Establish an oversight committee composed of community representatives, independent experts, and local officials to ensure long-term compliance with recommendations.

Potential Escalation:

If the City of Lakeland and Polk County fail to take action, we will escalate our concerns to state and federal agencies, including:

• The Florida Attorney General’s Office for legal review of government accountability.
• FEMA and HUD to request federal oversight of disaster response fund allocation.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess infrastructure deficiencies.
• The Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division if there is evidence of discriminatory impacts on vulnerable populations.

Mediation or Arbitration Option:

The primary focus of this petition is securing an independent investigation and holding decision-makers accountable. However, recognize that some disputed matters may require structured resolution. Therefore, we support efforts to explore mediation or arbitration as a mechanism for resolving conflicts between impacted residents, government agencies, and other involved entities. This will ensure that fair and unbiased solutions are reached regarding financial assistance, liability, and long-term planning.

This petition is being made available both in-person and online to allow all concerned residents of Polk County to participate. By signing this petition, whether digitally or on paper, you affirm your support for the demands outlined above. If you have already signed a physical copy, there is no need to sign online. All signatures, whether collected in-person or electronically will be compiled into one final submission to the appropriate officials for consideration.

We are not asking for or accepting monetary donations.