CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Some North Beach residents are hoping that a canal system being mulled over by council members will be the answer to flood and drainage issues that have plagued that area for years.
3News got a first-hand account from one of those residents on what she believes will fix the problem.
A picture-perfect view is why Carrie Robertson Meyer decided to call North Beach home and it's a place that serves as a destination hotspot where attractions like the U.S.S. Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium bring in thousands of visitors every year.
But there's another part to North Beach that really frustrates this long-time resident.
"For them to think storm water is going to run down the street and go in there is just a fantasy," said Carrie Robertson Meyer.
Meyer is talking about the issue of flooding and drainage. She said it's not so much caused by a rain event but a combination of rain and high tides.
"Our biggest problems, is that the salt water from the bay backs up through these underground pipes and floods the streets with salt water," said Meyer.
Meyer showed 3News this storm water drain on Neal Street meant to help, but on the day of our visit, it appeared full of water and sand.
"This is a dirt pit with a hole that they call drainage, and it's not drainage, we deserve more than this just like anyone in this city would in their neighborhood," said Meyer.
Meyer is raising her concerns days after a report was made to city council by an engineering firm hired by the city to study whether a canal system on North Beach would be a feasible project to help alleviate the area's drainage problem.
The engineering firm L.A.N. said yes, it is feasible. They also noted the current system is stressed.
However, a project of this size would require substantial elevation on parts of North Beach and then there's the issue of cost.
Corpus Christi Public Works Director Richard Martinez also gave a report on how the drainage system is currently maintained.
"Okay, so we don't have ponding water?" asked councilmember Greg Smith.
"In the areas where we have drainage channels and inlets, no, sir, it takes a while to come down, but we get that out, and if not, we will suck it out with our vacuum trucks," said Martinez.
Martinez told council members crews do that job on a monthly schedule. Since that meeting, Meyer said she has given a few of the council members a first-hand look at the situation.
Just one day after we visited with Meyer, city crews were spotted on Neal Street working to clear the drainage.
"We are trying to get infrastructure redone here because it's messed up and faulty," said Meyer.
Meyer said she support the idea of a canal system and would like to see the council to move towards phase two engineering work, something that would help with more specifics and cost estimates.
City Manager Peter Zanoni has said that the engineering firm is expected to present three drainage solutions by the end of the week.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com: