Frustration is rising for a group of La Habra homeowners who say a clogged storm drain and years of neglect turned their backyards into a muddy disaster during Tuesday’s storm.
Four homes on the 2200 block of Wilshire Avenue were flooded with mud and water after debris from a nearby homeless encampment clogged a storm drain during the storm, according to the residents. According to those who live in the area, this is the third time such an occurrence has happened in their community.
April Contreras, who lives in the affected area, said her home was littered with trash and discarded furniture that drifted to her yard in the storm.
“I am a single mom with three boys,” she said. “Twins are living at home, my oldest is out of the home but this is devastating. Absolutely devastating.”
In addition to litter on residents’ properties, trash and discarded furniture left along nearby railroad tracks behind their homes have clogged a drainage pipe that serves the neighborhood. Contreras said she and her neighbors have tried to contact the city and to Union Pacific Railroad, but have not received answers.
NBC4 reached out to both entities and the city of La Habra said the drainage pipe causing the issues belongs to Union Pacific and it can’t do anything about it. The city added that it has requested a meeting with railroad company leads to see what can be done.
Union Pacific said it cleaned the area last August, but the homeless encampment in the area is something it struggles with.