Avington Glenn resident posts photo of flooded backyard on social media. What is the city’s response?

PERRY — During rainy weather, some subdivisions in the city of Perry are experiencing flooding in their backyards. A photo of a flooded backyard in Avington Glenn caused an uproar on social media of what the city is doing to address the issue. 

Avington Glenn resident Sarah Eurey has been vocal about her concerns since moving into her home last year. The area is located west of Gunn Road off of Kings Chapel Road. Eurey posted on social media a photo of her backyard after a significant rainfall on Aug. 7. Her backyard was filled with water, which caught the attention of other citizens. 

She said her home gets the worst of the flooding but her neighbors also experience the same issue. Eurey said flooding happens no matter how much it rains. Even after it stops raining, water still enters her backyard. 

Eurey bought the home when it was brand new and was aware there was drainage behind it. She said she didn’t have a problem with it since her previous home also had a drainage behind it and she never experienced any issues. The area is also not listed to be in a flood zone. 

Before closing on the home, Eurey remembers smelling sewage which the city assured her was normal. It later came out when installing the fence, the post hit a sewer main behind her house, which later was fixed. She said they eventually started smelling sewage again. This brings up another concern for Eurey of whether there is sewage in the standstill water. 

“I don’t know how that’s not a health hazard,” she said. 

Eurey has brought up her concern in the past with previous City Manager Lee Gilmour. In May 2025, he sent a letter to Eurey addressing her concerns. In the letter obtained by the HHJ, he said the parcel behind her lot is private property therefore it is a civil matter and the city has no role in the process. Eurey said the fence was not constructed properly and is what causes the water to stay in the backyard. However in the letter Gilmour said she is responsible for the fence.  

The city services bill includes a stormwater utility fee which pays for state-mandated inspection, maintenance and repair costs on the city’s stormwater systems, according to their website. 

In Eurey’s recent utility bill she provided to the HHJ, her stormwater fee was $7. 

“[I’m] quite disappointed. The city of Perry charges more for water, more for taxes than Warner Robins. It’s sad that they don’t hold themselves to a higher standard,” she said. 

Eurey also mentioned the experience has been stressful. She said she would like to see someone own up to it. 

City Manager Robert Smith said there have been a number of issues that have come to their attention over the years. He said they have addressed issues from residents who live in front of the subdivision and are currently listening to a resident that lives near the wetland. According to Smith, the wetland property is owned by the developer, Masterpiece Construction. 

The primary way the city addresses stormwater issues, Smith said, is by making sure they are on top of their maintenance responsibilities. Smith explained there are requirements from the state that require them to maintain and operate a working stormwater system. 

“We have crews and inspectors that go around and check all of our stormwater infrastructure and then as needed we maintain those infrastructures and those improvements,” he said. 

Smith added whenever issues come up, they check them as best as possible with property owners. The city also has an MS4 permit which is part of the Natural Pollutant Discharge System managed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. This permit regulates how cities, counties and state agencies drain rainwater. 

Smith said flooding could be caused by anything but often it is because the infrastructure has not been properly maintained. It can also be caused by something obstructing the stormwater. 

Avington Glenn isn’t the first neighborhood to experience flooding. Sadie Heights and Stonebridge residents have expressed concern over this issue. The subdivisions are located near a 100-year floodzone which caused significant flooding whenever it rained. The city approved a flood study to be done in the area back in 2024. 

Smith said significant progress has been made and the first phase has been completed. This included replacing and enlarging the culverts under Stonegate Trail. Culverts are structures installed that allow water to flow under roads and other areas. The next phase includes ditch improvements and construction of a stormwater pond. 

“We hope to have construction started on that by the end of year,” he said.