Drainage / Stormwater

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.