Here is a pic of where it backs up against the house and back fence.

White arrow is where the drainage is supposed to go. And some of it does.

the water goes under the fence and to the back yard too!!!

Thanks for any suggestions!!

omg I'm so sorry. I feel for you. And I just finished looking at the expected forecast, though I don't know how it is supposed to hit your area. Whatever solution that you come up with is going to be a ton of work. The quickest and easiest way (I'd probably do it) is to put in a temporary french drain. But where? And where would it run off? That one would include all your neighbors. OMG I so feel for ya.

My idea of a french drain is cut a ditch with a trench digger and throw in some gravel, but that's only temporary.

I forgot to add the black outline is just an idea of putting a raised bed there. thinking maybe it would push the water where it is supposed to go!

Thanks. I like the rock idea but afraid neighbors wouldn't! :(.

Sorie, With the way torrential rainfall occurs here sometimes, I'd be worried that heavy rainfall would cut right through a raised bed and wash it away. I do think you have to start with a French drain somewhere, whether temporary or permanent. You have to be really careful because if you make changes that cause more water to flow onto a neighbor's property or into their house, they can sue you. The fact is that raised beds without permanent edging (built more like a mound of soil than a soil-filled rectangle, for example) would be likely to wash away. I am sure a landscaping contractor could build those sort of island beds with some kind of internal drainage system that could keep a bed from washing out as long as actual flooding wasn't occurring, but that might be a pricey project.

I love, love, love the idea of a dry creek bed like the one in the photo Miraje posted. Personally, assuming there is not a Home Owners Association with rules prohibiting dry creek beds or rock gardens, it is exactly the most perfect solution for you. With a high-quality landscape fabric underneath the stones, it also would be very low maintenance which is also a plus.

Scott does landscaping work, so I am hoping he will have some good ideas for you when he sees this.

Dawn

The raised bed (if it happens) will be winsor stones like the flower bed in the picture 2nd. picture.

No HOA here. Neighbors on either side are higher than us!!

Ok so is the water supposed to drain to the rear of the property? If so, where to? a creek, the neighbors, another street? What is slowing the flow to make it back up? Berms and beds are nice and pretty. And wonderful if you want a landscape. But it looks like you need drainage and the beds would not divert the water, as it would ultimately end up going around and flooding the small ditch again. That is just what I see from the pics.

Well I read your post again and you just want it diverted to the ditch? By all means berms with stone borders would be good and maybe a bit of tractor and dirt work. But will it still back up against the house? That is bad for your foundation and could cause erosion, heaving, drying and cracking the foundation, etc... Or maybe I still do not understand.

I've seen 2 pics recently that I thought were beautiful and functional.

The water flows through our back yard through the neighbors back yard to a culvert one street over! I've not seen what the neighbors back yard looks like. Not to friendly!!!

Here's the back yard. the first pic is when it comes in under the gate in pic from front yr.

#2 is where it drains into (under fence) and around flower bed where big rock are.

I hope this makes sense!!!

thanks for all the suggestions.

I don't know if it would help but I think I would talk to the city about how badly your neighborhood needs a storm drain. After all, that is water from the street that is pooling in your yard. That water isn't going anywhere until they correct their problem. The rain this week is supposed to be huge, so take lots of pictures and prepare for a fight.

I second SoonerGrandmom's suggestion!!! It looks like the "city planning" wasn't prepared for these historic water amounts, but they are better equipped as a municipality to deal with this than you as a (little, itty-bitty 2 person) home-owner. I'm sure you'll still need short-term fixes, but be prepared for the long-haul.

Sandbags! lol

No, seriously, we hired a fellow to do some dirt work for us after being flooded a few years back. He knows his stuff. These folks are so nice to work with. We really got our money's worth and I would hire them again in a heartbeat. http://greencountrylandscape.com/