Florida Dept. of Transportation now says the breach of a retention pond related to I-4 construction is at least partially responsible for flooding in a community in Longwood.

Some homeowners living in that area are just now getting a chance to begin assessing damage from flooding they say began before Hurricane Irma hit Central Florida.

Despite several feet of floodwater on her property, Karen Blaydes was trying to remain hopeful.

“When it was underwater, you had in your mind it was still the way it had been. Just covered in water,” said Blaydes.

But that hope vanished when Blaydes visited her property on Wednesday. 

“Wow, it looks like a disaster area, mud and muck everywhere,” said Blaydes.

Blaydes says water began flowing from I-4 while Hurricane Irma was still approaching. She blames I-4 construction.

“No doubt about it,” said Blaydes.

Blaydes says her home, which has been in her family for 40 years, never flooded before – even during other hurricanes. 

Since Spectrum News 13 began reporting on the flooding issues in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, the floodwater has gone down several feet. 

FDOT says a contractor – SGL – installed a pump in the area.

We asked FDOT if someone is going to reimburse homeowners for the damages. A spokesman said that’s being discussed at this time. 

For Blaydes, reality is setting in.

“It was a beautiful area, not so much anymore. So we’re devastated,” said Blaydes. “The house was just renovated five or six years ago, totally stripped down and renovated, and I don’t want to do it again and have this happen again because someone didn’t do their job correctly.”

Blaydes says she can’t go inside her house because the mold is so bad. She says in the next couple of days the house will be boarded up. 

Blaydes worries the house will be damaged beyond repair.