EDGEWATER, Fla. — Edgewater is flooding again, and Mayor Diezel Depew says it's time for drastic action. After another round of heavy rain left yards, streets, and drainage ditches underwater, the mayor is proposing that the city declare a state of emergency for its stormwater infrastructure.

"There is nowhere for this water to go," said Joanna Fisher, an Edgewater resident whose yard, front ditch, street, and backyard all flooded after about two inches of rain fell overnight. "It's not going to percolate because we're so saturated as it is."

Mayor Depew acknowledged the city has fallen behind on maintaining its drainage ditches but said cleanup efforts ramped up before Hurricane Helene had made a difference. Still, he concedes more must be done.

"Our stormwater master plan that we started two years ago will show us exactly what we have to do," said Depew. "Our current one is from 2014."

Among the short-term proposals on the table: lowering the city's retention ponds to create more storage capacity ahead of future storm events. Depew said he plans to bring the emergency declaration proposal before the city council, along with a package of immediate actions to begin addressing the longstanding problem.

Residents and officials alike are eager for lasting solutions. With more rain in the forecast and drainage infrastructure that hasn't kept pace with the city's growth, Edgewater faces the prospect of repeated flooding until a comprehensive stormwater overhaul is complete.