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.
The current pipe regulating the water levels at Lake Charlene.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are Flood Defenders
A non-profit amplifying the power of our members' voices to demand and receive better flood protection
