Flooding Driveway, Our Issue or Theirs?

[Amber Patterson]

Hey, and thanks for reading!

We have a rental property in the middle of 30 acres in Indiana. The gravel driveway to the property is probably between a quarter mile and half mile (really long). Recently we've had tons of rain and basically the whole county is under water, roads closed, etc. Renter called this morning and said the drive is too flooded for him to get to work this morning and he wanted us to provide a kayak, boat or something. In his words, we're required to provide him access to the road. 

How would you proceed?

We have had flooding issues with the drive before, but he could always get through. It is a county ditch issue that we've already reported. 

I do feel bad he can't make it to work. In turn, I'm afraid he will make this an excuse to not pay (or be late) on his rent next month.

Thanks for any advice. 

[Tim Herman]

@Amber Patterson What does your lease say? Most concern habitable conditions of the house. I assume you get snow in Indiana. Do you provide snow removal for your tenant. My take this is an ACT of GOD and not in your control. You say the whole county is underwater. Is the county furnishing boats to the people stuck i think not. Is the state paying people if a bridge washes out and it takes them an extra hundred miles to commute. If your tenant does't pay start eviction. Just my opinion. Good luck.