Drainage Problem Iin Common Area

I need a little guidance on a issue we have with drainage in the common area. We live in a 14 unit complex. Seven up and seven lower The lower units have been flooding when we get heavy rains. For the last few rainfalls we have had some lower units window wells filling from the gound up since the common area gets saturated and has no place to go. We have had some estimates and the cost is above what is in reserve. Can we propose an emergency assessment of $1000 per unit to solve the issue or do we have to build up the reserve and then fix the problem?

PeterL1: Are you, by any chance, a fairly new HOA and recently turned over from developer control to resident control?
If so, you are in a good position to have some re-grading done on the developer's nickel--if not, sounds like a special meeting might be in order for a discussion and vote.

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That's interesting as I am having the same problem with trying to install a patio to correct a drainage problem. The BoD won't respond to letters from my atty, although theynow claim "we" have a board atty. Aren't we entitled to know who that is?