Following heavy rainfall earlier this week, neighbors pointed to drainage ditches clogged with discarded tires, trash, and other debris as water rose above street level in some areas.
"It's just accumulating tires, trash, just stuff nobody wants to live next to," resident Santiago Casas said.
Residents said Monday's rain highlighted the ongoing problem when floodwaters covered portions of the roadway. At least one driver ended up in a ditch after losing sight of the road.
"It's the beginning of hurricane season," Casas said. "It's probably only going to get worse."
Although water levels had receded by Wednesday in some locations, residents said standing water remained in others. They reported seeing fish, turtles, and mosquitoes in the pooled water.
Neighbors also expressed concern about erosion and roadway damage they believe may be linked to drainage issues. A section of the roadway, covered with a metal sheet, has become, residents say, a sinkhole after previous repair attempts.
"This is the second fix already, and as you can see it's failing already," resident Oscar Acosta said.
Records obtained from the City of Houston show at least 16 service requests have been submitted through the city's 311 system since the beginning of 2025 for the 2100, 2200, and 2300 blocks of Mansfield Street. The requests include complaints related to illegal dumping, trash, overgrown weeds, and drainage concerns.
Residents said they have repeatedly contacted the city seeking solutions.
"I feel like we've kind of been forgotten about and it would be nice to get a proper fix," resident James Douglass said.
A spokesperson for Houston City Council District B confirmed the office is aware of the concerns. District B Council Member Tarsha Jackson's office plans to send a team to inspect the area and will use a grappler truck to remove larger debris from the ditches.
The office also noted that it is normal for drainage ditches to hold water immediately after significant rainfall. However, residents are encouraged to contact 311 if water remains standing for more than two days after a storm.
Residents say they hope addressing both the illegal dumping and drainage issues now will help prevent more severe flooding and infrastructure problems as hurricane season continues.