6 Flood Solutions Escambia Needs

Since 2015, Escambia County has only completed 11 of the 228 projects officials said they needed to address its flooding problem. We’re highlighting 6 of the many remaining that would make a big difference.

1. Build the West Roberts Regional Pond


 

 

Bristol Park, Asbury Hills and Bristol Creek, subdivisions in District 5, need the planned regional pond on West Roberts Road to finally be built.

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The Bottom Line

Commissioners respond to public pressure. Attending meetings, writing emails and signing the Flood Defenders petition will get Commissioner Barry’s attention and lead to action.

The Problem

Commissioner Steven Barry’s district battled two recent, major flood events: the 500-year flood in 2014 and the 100-year flood from Hurricane Sally.

The Solution

First proposed in the 2015 stormwater needs assessment, the West Roberts Road regional pond would reduce flooding in Bristol Park, Bristol Creek, and Asbury Hills.

The Next Steps 

Escambia County knows this pond will protect homes from flooding. Residents need to contact Commissioner Barry and let him know it’s time to finish Project 22 from the 2015 Stormwater Needs Assessment. Every month the Escambia County commissioners hold a county meeting that begins with a public forum. This gives residents the most direct contact with their commissioner.

2. Finish the Bridle Trail Pond Outfall Project


 

 

After a strong advocacy campaign, Lake Charlene residents secured approval for flood protection. But the Homeowners’ Association voted against granting the county an easement, citing the proposed drainage solution would not protect all homes, but “only protect 86%” (more than 110) of the homes that flooded in 2014. Detractors also claimed the plan would hurt the lake’s aesthetic by lowering it nine inches.

The Problem

Lacking flood protection, the area flooded again during Hurricane Sally.

The Solution

Residents renewed their push to the county commissioners to use the $2.1 million grant, this time successfully convincing their neighbors to approve it as well. The county can now install new infrastructure to lower Lake Charlene’s water level and make more space for excess floodwater.

Yes, and...

The project’s unfunded second phase would direct emergency outfall from Bridle Trail Pond to the wetland west of Campbellton Lane, resulting in an 86% reduction of first-floor elevation flooding for the area and protection of additional homes. The county estimates the project will only cost $705,000.

 

Commissioner Doug Underhill represents Lake Charlene’s district and has shown support for the FEMA project. All four of the other county commissioners also voted to execute an easement that allowed construction to start in May. But construction on phase 1 has to finish by the end of the year or the county risks losing the grant to pay for it.

 

Take Action

Residents should call and email Commissioner Underhill, attend the county commissioner meetings and continually remind the county that not finishing both the FEMA project and the Bridle Trail Pond projects is unacceptable.

The Bottom Line

Even with the grant and easement secured — and the support of homeowners — the county must finish the FEMA project on time. But that isn’t enough. The county also needs to complete the phase two Bridle Trail Pond outfall project.  Residents need to let the county, especially Commissioners Underhill and Barry, know that these flood projects need to be a top priority. 

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The current pipe regulating the water levels at Lake Charlene.

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Proposed new infrastructure to help with ground-level flooding at Lake Charlene.

3.Kupfrian Park Still Needs Better Drainage


 

 

Escambia County ranked this project high on their 2015 stormwater needs assessment list but has only completed the acquisition and design phase as of April 2020. 

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The Bottom Line

Commissioners May and Barry have failed to fund their own plan. Let them know this project can’t wait for another 100-year flood. 

The Problem

Commissioner Lumon May’s District 3 needs nearly $1m to address flooding issues on Hernandez and Lakeview between Pace and J Street.

The Solution

The county’s own 2015 stormwater assessment found that the Kupfrian Park area badly needed stormwater ponds and a conveyance system to improve drainage.

The Big Picture 

District 3 has only secured $1.3m of the nearly $48m his district needs for stormwater projects.

Take Action

The county commissioners meet every month and hold a public forum before each meeting. District 3 residents can also write and call Commissioner May and Chairman Steven Barry to let them know Project 17 from the 2015 Stormwater Needs Assessment must be funded.

4.Warrington Needs a New Stormwater System


 

 

After 2014’s 500-year flood hit Warrington, Escambia County determined the subdivision needed this $2m project. The county was slow to move, and the neighborhood got swamped again in Hurricane Sally.

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The Bottom Line

Many residents in District 2 have lived through multiple 100-year floods. Commissioners Barry and Underhill need to know this project can’t wait for another one. 

The Problem

The county's 2015 assessment found that the existing stormwater system put too much pressure on infrastructure in the Barrancas Avenue area.

The Solution

Warrington needed, and still needs, a new system along Jamison Street and Rue Max Street that discharges directly to Bayou Chico to take pressure off of overwhelmed infrastructure. Additionally, the system should connect to Lexington Terrace stormwater ponds to provide water quality improvement prior to discharge to the wetlands.

The Big Picture 

Commissioner Doug Underhill’s District 2 has funded projects totaling $19m of the $57m assessment. Hurricane Sally showed that a lot more needs to be done. 

Take Action

District 2 includes some of the most heavily flooded areas in the county. Residents need to let Commissioners Underhill and Barry know that Project 66 from the 2015 Stormwater Needs Assessment must be funded.

5. Restore the Stream and Wetland Near Mariners Village


 

 

Fixing drainage around Mariners Village remains one of the most important, but incomplete, projects in Commissioner Jeff Bergosh's District 1.

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The Bottom Line

Escambia has already battled one 100-year flood since the 500-year flood in 2014. Commissioners Bergosh and Barry need to know this project can’t wait for another one. 

The Problem

In 2015, the Escambia County stormwater assessment said the merging of two nearby creeks caused upstream flooding that “affects Mariners Village to the northwest and a creek along Dog Track Road to the northeast.”

The Solution

This $3.4m project would restore the nearby stream and wetland and construct a stormwater pond.

The Big Picture 

Commissioner Bergosh’s district has funded projects totaling $4m of the $70m assessment.

Take Action

District 1 has only funded 6% of stormwater projects the county said it needed in 2015. Residents need to let Commissioner Bergosh and Chairman Steven Barry know that Project 48 from the 2015 Stormwater Needs Assessment must be funded.

6. Fund the Proposed Twelve Oaks Stormwater System


 

 

Commissioner Robert Bender’s District 4 has funded 0% of the stormwater projects from the 2015 Escambia County Stormwater Needs Assessment. But District 4 could pass the 50% mark by funding this one $2.5 million project.

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The Bottom Line

Escambia remains vulnerable after Hurricane Sally's 100-year flood. Commissioners Bender and Barry need to know this project can’t wait for another one. 

The Problem

According to the county, the Twelve Oaks Area needs a new stormwater collection system to adequately discharge runoff. 

The Solution

This project will construct a new system that moves runoff into the existing Florida Department of Transportation system.

The Big Picture 

Despite having the lowest amount of funding needed, Commissioner Bender’s district has made no progress at all towards implementing flood protection projects.

Take Action

Residents need to let Commissioner Bender and Chairman Steven Barry know that Project 46 from the 2015 Stormwater Needs Assessment must be funded.

 

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