For over a century, heavy rains have transformed a low-lying area east of Nova Road into a temporary lake, affecting homes, businesses, and apartment buildings. But could levees, floodwalls, or new berms make a difference? How about raising structures, creating underground retention, or deepening channels to combat Daytona flooding?
A diverse team of engineers, biologists, geologists, hydrologists, surveyors, archaeologists, economists, planners, and environmental justice coordinators has been exploring these ideas for the past four months. They are working on a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood risk management feasibility study to recommend solutions for the recurring Daytona flooding in Midtown and Fairway Estates between Orange Avenue and Beville Road.
The team has 18 months to finalize their recommendations, but they provided a progress update at the recent City Commission meeting. The study, funded entirely by the federal government at $3 million, aims to convince Congress to support and finance a project to mitigate the catastrophic Daytona flooding in these neighborhoods.
The Scope and Challenge
The study area is bordered by Nova Road, Orange Avenue, Ridgewood Avenue, and Beville Road. The bowl-shaped topography has led to severe Daytona flooding, with water levels reaching up to four feet during heavy rainstorms and tropical storms. The neighborhoods sit at a low point between Clyde Morris Boulevard and Ridgewood Avenue, making them particularly vulnerable.
Draining to the Nova Canal and then the Halifax River, the system fails during large rainfall events when the river is high. Additionally, outfalls in Holly Hill and South Daytona and discharges from the Navy Canal exacerbate the flooding.
Potential Solutions and Federal Funding
Addressing this issue could cost between $100 million and $200 million. While the study’s full funding by Congress is promising, securing federal construction money remains uncertain. Previous efforts took years, highlighting the challenges ahead.
The Army Corps is exploring nearly two dozen alternatives, having ruled out underground storage due to costs and ineffectiveness. Ideas under consideration include property buyouts, raising berms, and adding a surge barrier.
The Path Forward
Over the next year, the team will continue evaluating alternatives, aiming to agree on a tentatively selected plan by June 2025. The recommended plan for flood mitigation will be endorsed by December 2025, followed by state and agency reviews in June 2026. The final report is due in January 2027, leading to a congressional authorization request.
Community Involvement
Public engagement is crucial. Residents can interact with experts during meetings on July 16 at the Dickerson Community Center. Further updates will be provided at City Commission meetings on Sept. 18, Dec. 18, March 12, 2025, and June 11, 2025.
Del Cabeche, the environmental justice coordinator, ensures that community voices are heard throughout the process. The team has already collaborated with local and state officials, emphasizing a collective approach to a resilient future for Midtown and Fairway Estates, addressing the persistent issue of Daytona flooding.
Thanks for reading,
Chris
