Chesterfield residents push for 311 system after repeat flooding in neighborhood 

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- After several days of rain, flooding concerns are on the rise in Chesterfield County. Some residents said it's not just the water that worries them, but also how hard it has been to get help.

One couple tells 8News that flooding has been a recurring issue near their property, leading them to call on the county to make it easier to report non-emergency issues.

Sheri Shannon and her husband, Dan Klatt, live near a creek and said this week's storms caused the water to rise into their backyard. But this isn't the first time. Back in 2020, a powerful storm left their yard submerged.

“Anytime we get one of those like 3 or 4 days straight storms where it just rains all day, all night, that’s when the water starts really rising fast,” Klatt said.

They said the flooding is not only on their property, but also at a nearby bridge and on roadways in their neighborhood.

High water sign placed near the intersection of Belmont and Turner Rd. (Photo: Deniel Dookan, 8News)

“I reached out to the county in May because we also were seeing flooding at the intersections of Belmont and Turner Road, as it always floods, and I was just like, 'well, who do I report this to?'” she said.

After making several calls and sending emails, Shannon suggested that the county implement a 311 system to help residents streamline reports for infrastructure and stormwater concerns. In an email shared with 8News, a representative with the county's Constituent and Media Services thanked her for the suggestion.

“It didn’t feel as if they actually were taking that into consideration,” Shannon said. “I got a lot of links to a lot of different websites that still did not address our initial concern.”

While Chesterfield County does not have a 311 system, Shannon was told that drainage and road issues could be reported through the county’s website. Still, she believes a centralized 311 system would be a more effective and accountable way to track these issues.

“The everyday person is just like, listen, there’s an issue. I need to report it to somebody. Who do I talk to about this?” she said. “And 311 would just be the simplest way to make that happen.”

Chesterfield’s Environmental Engineering team also informed Shannon that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) maintains a majority of roads in the county and plans to address the improper drainage on Belmont Road.

The county also encourages residents to check out 511 to report similar concerns.