PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — Homeowners in a St. Lucie West neighborhood say repeated flooding, rising HOA fees, and unanswered questions have turned daily life into a constant source of stress, especially for one retired veteran who fears she may not be able to stay in her home.

CBS12 News visited the Azalea community, where standing water, mud, and bugs were visible in backyards and common areas after just about 20 minutes of rainfall. Homeowner Beverly Bostic says the flooding happens every time it rains and has affected both her health and finances.

Bostic moved into the neighborhood in 2023 and says the problems began almost immediately. She walked CBS12 News through her backyard, pointing out areas she says stay constantly wet and a trench along a berm that she believes has failed to properly drain water.

She says she has spent hundreds of dollars of her own money trying to manage the flooding, buying rocks, water barriers, and even installing her own drainage with help from her son, but nothing has fully solved the problem.

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“I just start thinking after the rain what I have to do next — cleanup, replacing plants — which is spending money and trying to keep the water from coming in,” Bostic said.

Bostic is a retired veteran living on a fixed income. She says rising HOA fees, on top of the ongoing flooding issues, have left her anxious and afraid of what comes next. She said that just seeing storm clouds causes stress because she knows what may follow.

If the financial burden continues to rise, Bostic says she may be forced to leave her home.

“I’ll either have to get a side job for the association fees or walk away from the property,” she said. “And I don’t want to be homeless, walking away from this property.”

While CBS12 was on scene, it began raining again, and water could be seen pooling as Bostic became visibly upset, saying she already knew what was about to happen.

St. Lucie County officials confirm the approved site plan for the Azalea neighborhood included a drainage swale that was not built during construction and had to be added later. County engineers say fixing the issue now is more difficult because there is limited room for heavy equipment behind the homes.

“It’s a fix after the fact — and it’s still not working 100 percent,” said St. Lucie County Commissioner Jamie Fowler, who says her office has received multiple complaints from residents.

Fowler says the county has not signed off on the development and is holding a substantial bond until the drainage issue is resolved. She also says drainage approval ultimately falls under the South Florida Water Management District, while the county continues to oversee the developer’s work.

CBS12 News reached out to the HOA management company and the developer for comment, but had not heard back.

County officials say a full solution will take time, and the issue remains under review.