Water-Related News

Central Florida to fight future flooding with $60 million federal investment

Central Florida recently received help in the fight to prevent future flooding when Orange and Polk counties received $60 million in federal funding for water infrastructure improvements and Osceola was granted initial approval for future projects.

On Dec. 23, President Biden signed into law the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which, among many other things, granted initial approval for ecosystem restoration projects in Lake Tohopekaliga/Kissimmee Lakefront, Lake Runnymede and Shingle Creek. The act also included $50 million in funding for Orange’s water projects and $10 million for Polk’s.

“As more human beings move in there will be a greater demand for water in our community and as a result, Orange County has to be creative on how it approaches those barriers,” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said at a press conference last month. “We have a lot of needs here in our community and we are looking forward to working with our state partners.”

Altogether, the water projects throughout Central Florida should help mitigate flooding concerns that September’s Hurricane Ian further illuminated in the region. Orange County saw historic levels of flooding that left many with property damage or homeless.