For many years, I have called the Williamsburg community my home. Nestled close to the beautiful Osceola area and Shingle Creek, it has always offered its residents a serene environment to live, work, and enjoy family life. However, recent developments stemming from the Tuscana ruling threaten this tranquility and the very safety of our homes.

Over the past few years, our community has witnessed rapid development that has significantly increased noise pollution and traffic congestion. While this urban expansion poses daily inconveniences, a far more sinister threat looms: the potential increase in our homeowners' insurance rates and an elevated risk of flooding. We have seen, far too often, how neglecting the risks associated with flooding can devastate communities, as was the case in Osceola. Shingle Creek, the lifeblood of our ecosystem, remains highly vulnerable.

The recent Tuscana ruling disregards these legitimate concerns, and stands poised to exacerbate them. The ruling permits further development without adequately addressing the environmental and infrastructural challenges that we face, including a lack of comprehensive flood prevention measures and sustainable urban planning. This ruling came in 4-3 with the Orange County Commissioners -Mayor Demings, Mike Crabb, Mayra Uribe and Mike Scott- in favor of the developers yesterday despite a unanimous no just last year from them.

Statistics reveal that flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. According to FEMA, just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to a home. With 17,000 homes in the Williamsburg, surrounding neighborhoods, and Hunters Creek neighborhood just 1 inch of water alone could cost the community $425,000,000.  The Williamsburg Community includes very high risk areas of flooding according to the FEMA floodzone map Williamsburg Flood Zone Map with documented pictures of flooding with regular storms and even more dangerous flooding with strong storms such as hurricanes. Without intervention, the projected increase in flood risk could potentially devastate families financially and displace residents who have called this area home for decades. 

With the new Basin Studies in Osceola County that includes the Shingle Creek Basin specifically in regards to flooding Basin Studies, Orange County should also further study Shingle Creek in our own county to protect our community from the same devastating and life altering situation so many Osceola County citizens found themselves in instead of rushing into  developing the Shingle Creek wetlands. As we learned from our neighbors, once the area has been developed, it is too late to take it back. We, as a community, refuse to stand by and allow our beloved Williamsburg to suffer due to lack of accountability and foresight. It is crucial that we take a stand now to safeguard our homes and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.  We demand that local government and relevant stakeholders revisit the Tuscana ruling, taking into consideration the expert opinions on flood risk management and urban planning. 

Join us in this fight for justice and safety for the Williamsburg community. Together, we can make our voices heard and influence a positive change in policy that aligns with the best interests of all residents and protects both our homes and the environment we cherish. Sign this petition to hold decision-makers accountable and to preserve the integrity of our community.