Stratford officials are making an urgent plea to Bridgeport leaders to help fix an ongoing flooding problem that affects both communities.

Local leaders say they have traced the problem to a series of culverts known as Bruce's Brook, which begins in Stratford but crosses over into Bridgeport.

Officials report that illegal dumping clogs the culverts and even though they have built a fence, the problem continues and is getting worse. They added that the state recently cleaned out one of the culverts on the Stratford side, and it's now up to Bridgeport to get its system cleaned out as well.

Leaders say unless both communities can find a long-term solution, flooding in the area will be an ongoing problem.