Some Port Orange residents upset with city's approach to combat flooding

PORT ORANGE, Fla. — Some Port Orange residents aren't happy with the results of a survey on how to prevent flooding in their community.
 
A private company the city hired suggested a $30 million fix to the problem, which is an astronomical cost for the small city.
 
City leaders are considering buying homes that a flood damaged in 2014.
 
"Right now, we feel like we've been sold down the river or down the canal," resident Mike Gardner said.
 
Gardner said he's disappointed the city spent $60,000 on engineering firms evaluating its storm water system.
 
"They did as little as they possibly could. I think the only way we're going to get any kind of change is by changing who's up there on the dais," Gardner said.
  
The city said it's not moving forward with any particular plans, but City Councilman Bob Ford said he's not giving up.
 
"The council said we're not walking away from this. We're going to continue to look for solutions," Ford said.
 
Ford said three different engineering firms advised against building a berm that was planned in earlier storm water system designs. It was also demanded by some residents after 2014.
 
One option suggested was a $30 million pumping system, which Ford said the city can't afford. Another is the city buying homes from residents in flood zones.
 
"We're not going to go anywhere," Gardner said.
 
Ford said they hope to know what plan they'll move forward with by the end of the year.

Cox Media Group