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Advanced Engineering & Design presented findings from a Gulfport Stormwater Drainage Study during the Nov. 18 Gulfport City Council meeting. Photo via The Gabber Newspaper<\/p>\n
Advanced Engineering & Design presented findings from a Gulfport Stormwater Drainage Study during the Nov. 18 Gulfport City Council meeting.
Photo via The Gabber Newspaper<\/p>\n
Gulfport\u2019s new Watershed Management Plan shows serious stormwater vulnerabilities across the city and outlines millions in needed upgrades.<\/p>\n
Engineers presented the findings from a Stormwater Drainage Study during the Nov. 18 City Council meeting. President of Advanced Engineering & Design, Inc. Justin Keller explained how rainfall, tides, and outdated infrastructure worsen roadway flooding.<\/p>\n
The study used updated NOAA rainfall data and detailed field investigations to show how water moves through Gulfport\u2019s drainage system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gulfport Stormwater Drainage Study\u2019s Key Findings Show Citywide Vulnerabilities<\/p>\n
The plan identifies structural flooding in several important locations:<\/p>\n
City HallTomlinson Park59th StreetWood Ibis ParkStetsonGulfport Marina<\/p>\n
They also found that much of the city drains through the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club system. As a result, upstream problems often worsen downstream flooding.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the model confirmed that low roadway elevations and aging pipes contribute to recurring problems during moderate and major storms.<\/p>\n
Residents Ask for Access and Clarity<\/p>\n
Resident Bob Canning said his home floods even when it\u2019s not raining.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs it possible to have a flood when there\u2019s no hurricane, no rain, no storm? No, right?\u201d Canning said. \u201cEvery day we have one here, because\u2026 the tide comes above our pipes. We have new check valves. So all the pipes from Shore Boulevard up to 30th Street are full, and water cannot run against the current.\u201d<\/p>\n
Along with that, resident Aimee Kosta raised regional concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we need to be connecting with other municipalities who are also struggling?\u201d she asked. \u201cIf it\u2019s above us, then maybe we need to go to other towns to figure out what they\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Resident Robert Lewis, who is an environmental engineer, asked for more technical detail.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou talked about computer modeling, calculations,\u201d he said. \u201cThey should be included in the report. We want to see those numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Gulfport Stormwater Drainage Study is not all that happened at the Nov. 18 Gulfport City Council meeting. Read what we overheard<\/a>, and approvals<\/a>.Requesting Clearer Information\u00a0<\/p>\n Council and residents were left with many questions after the stormwater presentation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need time to assimilate, welcome the slides, and start formulating what questions we have,\u201d Ward II Council member Marlene Shaw said. \u201cAt the moment. It\u2019s like drinking from the firehouse.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Along with that, resident Cathy Ford asked staff to make the presentation easier to access.<\/p>\n \u201cIs it possible to get the slides, which we couldn\u2019t quite see, put on the website or in paper form that we could pick up at the Town Hall or elsewhere?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n City Clerk Theresa Carrico explained that the presentation falls under accessibility rules.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can request it by public records requests,\u201d Caricco responded. \u201cI don\u2019t know if I can put it on the website due to ADA compliance. But you can request it from me at any time.\u201d<\/p>\n When Ford asked if the City could print the slides, Carrico said \u201cthere would be a cost.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI have a lot of questions for these men,\u201d Canning said. \u201cA lot of people got a lot of questions.\u201d<\/p>\n The City will hold a workshop on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m. to answer any additional questions from residents and City staff.<\/p>\n Six Major Projects Proposed<\/p>\n Engineers recommended six capital projects to reduce flooding.<\/p>\n Drainage upgrades near the Police and Fire complexNew bypass culverts at Pasadena Yacht & Country ClubA large water-quality pond in west GulfportOutfall improvements at 30th AvenueConveyance upgrades near StetsonTidal-flooding mitigation at the Gulfport Marina<\/p>\n According to the presentation, each project ranges from $1.5 million to $20 million.<\/p>\n Next Steps for Gulfport<\/p>\n City officials plan to use the findings to guide capital planning, pursue state and federal grants, and coordinate long-term flood-resilience efforts.<\/p>\n The City will hold a workshop on Nov. 25 at 4 p.m.; The next Gulfport City Council meeting is Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n The Gabber Newspaper? We Go There.<\/p>\n In 1968, our founder, George Brann, started The Gabber Newspaper, then called the Gulfport Gabber, to hold Gulfport City Council<\/a> accountable. Read more of our city council coverage<\/a>, and learn about our policies on reporting, fact-checking, and funding<\/a>.<\/p>\n