Challenge
When rain and a high tide event in 1999 brought significant damage to their properties, residents of Oakland Park, Florida realized their current drainage system needed serious improvement. With nearly 400 home sites in the Lloyd Estates and Sleepy Hollow neighborhoods affected, city officials researched solutions to prevent future flooding.
Solution
“We have low-lying coastal areas that can be impacted from high tide events and moderately intense rain,” explained Public Works Director Albert Carbon. “This project allows us to control flooding to the extent we can.”
In 2015, a new drainage project in Oakland Park included:
- Preparing and implementing a storm water pollution prevention plan
- Coordinating with the local floodplain administrator to ensure compliance with local regulations
- Obtaining the applicable United States Army Corps of Engineers permits
- Working with Florida’s Division of Historical Resources regarding the presence of archeological materials or human remains
- Submitting proper, required notices and permits to begin and complete the work
Administered by Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, Oakland Park received $5.4 million from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to fund the project. The scope of work involved construction of drainage improvements that included installing drainage catch basins on targeted streets and a pump station consisting of four pumps, two control gates, a flood wall and wetland area.
The project’s benefits became obvious in September 2017 when Hurricane Irma hit the area.
During the storm, the pump station lost power but its fully automatic backup generator kicked in. Despite the high tidal surges and high canal levels, an inspection by public works showed the mitigation efforts were successful. The gates were in their raised (closed) position, and completely submerged by the high tides and canal levels.
While there were reports of flood waters entering homes, none were in the communities served by the new system. “While Oakland Park experienced flooding, homes in the Lloyd Estates and Sleepy River neighborhoods were unscathed,” said Carbon. “Area streets and yards were inundated but water did not get into homes. The pump station lost power during the storm but was fully operational under on-site emergency power.”
Key Takeaways
Communities who identify their areas of intense flooding can take steps to plan for and mitigate against natural disasters. How residents can get involved:
- Talk with local officials about where flooding occurs and its frequency.
- Be part of the solution to prioritize projects in your community.
- The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is an option after a federally declared disaster. FEMA also has annual competitive mitigation grant programs such as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and the Flood Mitigation Assistance program.
For additional information, visit the following websites:
- City of Oakland Park, Florida
- Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding: A Guide for Communities, Chapter 8 – Drainage Improvements
- Resources and Guidance for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs