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Drainage / Stormwater
Stormwater Management Division
The Stormwater Management Division coordinates projects designed to manage rainwater runoff in the City. The Division serves residents by maintaining stormwater retention areas and by making sure ditches and culverts are cleared throughout the City.
This neighborhood, built and rebuilt throughout the 1900s, has several spots where rainfall collects because of inadequate and poorly-designated drainage. During August 2014, several heavy downpours flooded streets and homes. Our short-term fix was to hire outside contractors to pump out the drainage system and to help us clear the drains of debris such as:
- Litter
- Pine needles
- Sticks
- Spanish Moss
We ask for residents' help - if you are out walking and notice a drain cover is blocked by debris, either clear it yourself or give us a call and let us know the location.
Narrow roads, thick live oak trees roots and houses built close to each other directly affect our ability to redirect flooding rainwater. Add to that the restrictions of the National Historic Landmark District and our desire to protect it from change and we face major hurdles with drainage.
The good news is that most of this area is near the Beaufort River and its marshes, meaning stormwater doesn't have far to travel to reach an outfall away from homes and roads.
When these neighborhoods were built in the 1900s, the roads and drainage plans might've been adequate for that period but certainly weren't designed for future growth. Today, these neighborhoods suffer routine storm flooding and ponding of water on roads and lawns.
Short-term fixes include keeping drains and drain covers clear of debris such as pine needles and Spanish Moss while long-term solutions include a comprehensive stormwater drainage plan to move water away from these low-lying areas to a centralized collection pond.
Photo Gallery
View photos of from the Stormwater Management Division