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Lakeland Flood Aftermath: Shop Warns Drainage Is a ‘Death Trap’
Twin Diesel Performance Shop Flooded: Lakeland Mechanics Ask City for Help
What Happened?
Imagine you own a car repair shop. One Thursday afternoon, after a big rainstorm, you arrive to find several inches of water covering your entire property. That’s exactly what happened to David and Daniel Goodwald, the brothers who own Twin Diesel Performance in Lakeland, Florida.
Location: West Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland, FL
Business: Twin Diesel Performance (diesel mechanic shop)
Opened: 2015
Flood Date: Thursday (heavy rainfall)
The Brothers’ Story
David and Daniel were visibly shocked when they saw the damage. In a video that spread on social media, Daniel asked a worrying question:
"What are we going to do when a hurricane comes through if this is what a thunderstorm does?"
Since the flood, they’ve been:
- Clearing debris
- Rescheduling customers for next week
- Feeling bad about making people wait longer for repairs
Why Do They Think This Is Happening?
The brothers have a clear theory. Here’s what they told reporters:
| Timeline | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Shop opens on West Memorial Boulevard |
| Before Bonnet Springs Park | Zero flooding issues |
| After Park Completed | Flooding starts happening |
| Last Year | City fixes drainage after multiple phone calls |
| Until This Week | No more problems |
| This Thursday | Heavy rain → major flooding again |
David’s exact words: "For certain, this issue did not start until Bonnet Springs Park was completed."
Daniel’s observation: Water reaches high levels and stops draining — it just sits there.
How Does the Drainage Work (Or Not Work)?
Think of it like a bathtub:
- Rain falls on surrounding areas (including the park)
- Water runs downhill (runoff) toward the shop
- Storm drain behind the building should suck it up
- But lately — the "drain" gets overwhelmed or blocked
- Result: Water backs up onto the shop property
What Did the City Say?
Lakeland officials did respond. Here’s their official statement:
City of Lakeland Public Works Department
- Visited the location Thursday AND Friday
- Checked storm pipe system
- Found NO blockages in the drainage pipes
- Will keep working with the business owners
- Goal: Understand what happened & find next steps
Why This Matters: The Human Impact
This isn’t just about wet concrete. David explained the real stakes:
"I can’t continue to conduct my business in an honest manner or support the livelihood of my employees without a solid foundation. And we’re just reaching out to see if our officials can give us the solid foundation, resolution on this issue."
Translation: No dry shop = no work = no paychecks for employees = business might not survive.
[!IMPORTANT]
Key Points to Remember
- Shop flooded twice before since 2015 — both times after Bonnet Springs Park was built
City fixed drainage last year — worked until this week’s storm
City says pipes are clear — but water still isn’t draining
Brothers need long-term fix — not just temporary patches
Employees’ jobs and customers’ trust are on the line
Summary
Twin Diesel Performance, a Lakeland diesel repair shop owned by brothers David and Daniel Goodwald, flooded Thursday after heavy rain. The shop has only flooded twice since opening in 2015 — both times after Bonnet Springs Park was completed nearby. The brothers believe runoff from the park area overwhelms the storm drain behind their building. Last year, the city repaired the drainage after their complaints, and things were fine until this week. City crews inspected and found no pipe blockages, but the water still wouldn’t drain. The brothers are asking for a permanent solution because repeated flooding threatens their business and their employees’ livelihoods.
FAQ
Has this shop flooded before?
Yes, but only twice since 2015 — and both times happened after Bonnet Springs Park was finished.
Did the city fix it last time?
Yes! After the brothers called multiple times, city crews repaired the drainage system last year. It worked fine until this week’s storm.
What did the city find this time?
Public Works visited two days in a row and said there are no blockages in the storm pipes — but the water still didn’t drain.
Why do the owners blame the park?
David said clearly: "This issue did not start until Bonnet Springs Park was completed." They believe changed water flow from the park area sends too much runoff to their drain.
What happens if it floods again?
David said they can’t run the business honestly or pay their employees without a dry, reliable shop. They’re asking the city for a permanent fix, not just another temporary repair.
Want to support Twin Diesel Performance? Visit their website: twindieselperformancerepair.com
