French Drain with rubber mulch

I had nearly the same problem and a single french drain made the problem go away. It is important (and probably worth reinstalling if not done) to have:

• a 10% grade (1 inch down for every 10 inches of pipe length)
• cloth covered french drain pipe
• plug off the yard-end or open it to a ground level drain (cloth and grate covered!) and make sure you can access it to clean it out
• make sure your trench is at least 8 inches wide (2 inches clearance on either side of a standard 4 inch french drain pipe)
• place the french drain pipe in a channel that has 1-2 inches of pea gravel for a bed
• cover the pipe with at least 2 inches of pea gravel before putting in the dirt

The french drain also should start prior to the onset of the wet area. (Please note the image does not accurately reflect the opening of the yard end - i.e. you can't clean this one out!)

Obviously, the soil needs to be graded away from the house (in the back yard). If that means you need a retaining wall, then you need a retaining wall.

Regarding the swale, improved drainage sounds helpful. The real question is, why isn't water shedding (what is the real issue)? I've had swale issues, and the problem in those cases, was not with my swale, but the neighbors'... so water backed up in my yard. In such a circumstance, you can talk to the neighbors about the issue, ask them to fix it, offer to help, and/or sue them for damages.

But if the neighbors aren't to be blamed, then another alternative to keep the grass cut very short (grass slows drainage). Or you could check into a trench drain (concrete ditch). This is just another option that I didn't see mentioned, although it may not be your best option. As Tester101 pointed out, being there to see the issue is probably necessary.

Regarding power outages, gasoline or propane generators are the most reliable answer. A moderate generator should be enough for a sump pump, the fridge, and should keep the toilet flushing too. As you know, the drawback with a battery bank is that once it discharges, then you don't have a simple solution, like getting more gas.

Edit- Here's a possible way to use a retaining wall to increase the grade away from the house.