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East Naples residents tired of being flooded out

Posted at 9:51 PM, Aug 31, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-01 07:37:41-04
NAPLES, Fla. -- Nearly a foot of water collected along Auto Ranch Road in East Naples, after a tropical depression passes through the area Tuesday.
 
"What we call it is the canal that goes nowhere," said long time resident David Dunn.
 
Auto Ranch Road literally spills into Maple Tree Drive, every time it rains in this East Naples neighborhood.
 
"My oldest daughter she had a little Hyundai Accent; she's afraid to drive it down, we're worried it might get messed up or something being in this deep water," said Michelle Anderson who lives on Maple Tree.
 
The water is deep enough that the school bus stop had be moved down the road, meaning Michelle Anderson's kids have further to wade.
 
"I'm concerned they had to move it down to US 41 and Auto Ranch Road because people aren't looking for kids on this side of 41," said Anderson.
 
Dunn uses a canoe to navigate the neighborhood, he's seen fish, snakes, and turtles swimming in the road.
 
"It hasn't changed, the county came in last year, and they had numerous vehicles to put a culvert under auto ranch road, and you can see the results of it," said Dunn.
 
Results that may not change until more money flows into county coffers.
 
Collier County Spokesperson Connie Deane told us not much more can be done unless county commissioners approve more road funding.
 
Dunn says that explanation doesn't hold water.  "Get it right, you don't see none of this in Port Royal, Royal Harbor or any gated community."