A record-breaking rain event — that’s what the St. Pete Public Works Administrator says was the cause of major flooding Wednesday night. He says the city's storm system isn’t built to withstand that much water. But those who have lived here a long time aren’t buying it. They believe it’s due to the new developments recently built nearby. Neighbors in Edgemoor say they saw two to three feet of water in the street. They say it’s been the same story for the past couple of weeks, and they’re wondering if it might be because the storm drain here was clogged or if the city can be doing more to stop the water from staying put. “It’s never been like this,” Joseph Stern said. He saw streets inundated with water including those in the northeast neighborhood he’s called home for 20-plus years. A spokesperson for the St. Petersburg Police Department says 55 cars were stuck due to flooding, while 12 were abandoned Wednesday night between 6 p.m. and midnight. Officers also responded to 20 accidents and 73 community hazard calls like flooded intersections and stalled-out cars. “I want answers from the city,” Stern said. He wants to know why a summer storm is now leaving streets soaked and neighbors on edge. “Why was it never a problem in the past?” Fred Coker asked. Coker believes it could be from new developments in the area, leaving the water with no place to go. “They are more busy getting people into St. Pete than fixing the problems in St. Pete,” Coker said. “The rainfall last night was record-breaking,” St. Pete’s Public Works Administrator Claude Tankersley told reporters. 10 Investigates went to get answers to those viewers’ concerns. Tankersley said any developer is required to get a permit from Southwest Florida Water Management District and has to show that the rate of stormwater flow off of their property is the same after the development is finished as it was before the development. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/st-pete-flooding-edgemoor/67-457e3a60-84ac-4065-8635-cac7f0f62989