Flooding and Stormwater Management
Flooding is a concern for communities across Volusia County, particularly as we experience periods of heavy rainfall, severe storms, and evolving environmental challenges. Understanding how flooding occurs, how stormwater systems work, and what measures the County is taking to mitigate risks and help residents and businesses stay prepared and protected.
Volusia County is actively working to reduce flood risks through ongoing maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, flood mitigation projects, updates to policies and ordinances, and community education. This website is designed to be a central resource for residents, businesses, and property owners to find information about:
- The causes of flooding and how different factors contribute to flood risks in Volusia County.
- Stormwater management efforts and how the county maintains its drainage systems.
- Flood mitigation solutions for homeowners and businesses to reduce their risk.
- Current and upcoming projects designed to enhance flood resilience.
- County policies, regulations, and enforcement related to stormwater management.
- Emergency response strategies before, during, and after major storm events.
News & Updates
Stay informed with the latest developments on flooding, stormwater projects, and county initiatives:
- December 12 - This week, crews replaced an aging pipe culvert along Avocado Drive at Old Daytona Road in the Port Orange area. The original pipe had reached the end of its service life, and the new installation will improve stormwater flow through the adjacent roadside ditches, helping the area better manage heavy rainfall.
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- December 5 - This week, the countywide roadside ditch maintenance crew from Road & Bridge worked along Old Mission Road in New Smyrna Beach. The work was scheduled after the crew supervisor identified additional maintenance needs while responding to a citizen request in the area. Proactive maintenance efforts like this help keep the traveling public safe and ensure stormwater continues to flow properly.
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- December 2 - Volusia County Council Moves Ahead with Six Flood Mitigation Projects Across Multiple Communities. Read more.
- November 21 - Welcome to the Third Edition of Volusia County's Flooding and Stormwater Management Newsletter. Read more.
- November 19 - Volusia County Council Approves Funding for Design Supporting Edgewater’s Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements. Read more.
- November 14 - This week, a walking “spider” excavator was deployed to the Tomoka Farms Village area to mow and clean a section of a canal within the Quiet Place in the Country subdivision. Crews are slope-mowing the canal banks and then cleaning and reshaping the canal to improve flow, restore capacity, and remove obstructions. The work is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
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- November 7 - The Road & Bridge Eastside Drainage Construction Crew is replacing aging stormwater pipes along Julia Street in New Smyrna Beach after inspections confirmed the existing system had reached the end of its service life. The work began in response to a resident’s drainage concern and will improve stormwater flow in the area. Completion is expected by the end of next week.
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- November 6 - This week, during its Nov. 4 meeting, the Volusia County Council approved two large-scale stormwater planning efforts totaling nearly $1.9 million to help South Daytona and Daytona Beach identify vulnerabilities, improve drainage, and reduce future flooding risks. Read more.
- October 31 - This week, Road & Bridge crews began replacing deteriorated driveway culvert pipes along Frank Place in South Daytona to improve stormwater flow. The aging culverts no longer functioned properly and were identified for replacement during a routine inspection. As a result of this work, stormwater conveyance will improve, and residents will maintain safe, reliable driveway access. Work in the area is expected to be complete by the end of next week.
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- October 23 - This week, both of Road & Bridge’s walking “spider” excavators are focused on flood mitigation through open channel maintenance. These machines operate on steep slopes and difficult terrain, allowing crews to restore canal capacity with minimal environmental impact. Crews perform slope mowing ahead of canal cleaning and reshaping to improve flow velocity, reducing localized flooding and stagnant water. One excavator is working along Open Channel B-1 in the Highridge Estates area of Daytona Beach, while the other is on Open Channel C-6 near State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach. Both projects are expected to be complete by the end of the month.
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- October 17 - This week, a roadside ditch crew continued drainage maintenance efforts in the Village of Pine Run neighborhood near Ormond Beach. The team is clearing roadside ditches and restoring swales to improve water flow and system performance. Work is scheduled for completion by early next week, after which the improvements will enhance drainage capacity, reduce localized flooding, and strengthen overall stormwater management in the area.
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- October 7 - The Volusia County Council approved nearly $50 million for 14 significant flood mitigation and infrastructure projects across the community today. Federally funded through the Transform386 program, the $50 million will be combined with nearly $30 million from the applicants for a total investment of approximately $80 million to strengthen stormwater systems, protect neighborhoods, and improve resilience throughout Volusia County. Read more.
- September 30 - This week, the Road & Bridge drainage task team advanced multiple maintenance projects across the county. Near the Village of Pine Run in Ormond Beach, equipment operators cleared an open channel of excess debris and vegetation to keep water flowing freely. In DeLand, a second crew began removing built-up sediment from a drainage inlet near Stone Street and the 92 Extension to improve stormwater capacity. Meanwhile, along Orange Camp Road near Oxford Road, a third crew flushed sediment from the exfiltration pipe to ensure the system continues operating at full capacity.
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- September 25 - The drainage team is conducting roadside ditch maintenance along Osteen Maytown Road near Pell Road in Osteen. Crews are slope mowing to clear vegetation from the right-of-way, followed by mechanically removing debris and sediment from the ditch. These routine operations improve stormwater flow through the conveyance system and help keep roadways safe during rainstorms. The project is expected to be completed by the end of next week.
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- September 4 - During a recent routine inspection and cleaning of stormwater inlets and pipes in Ormond-by-the-Sea, crews identified a failing drainage pipe. The stormwater maintenance team promptly removed the damaged section and installed a replacement. Regular inspections like this ensure the stormwater system remains reliable and help protect the community from potential flooding. This proactive approach enables crews to address minor issues before they escalate into major problems.
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- August 29 - Ditch maintenance crews are working along Pell Road and Osteen-Maytown Road, clearing sediment from roadside drainage ditches. This work reduces flooding risks, protects roadways, and helps neighborhoods drain more effectively during heavy rains.
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- August 22 - This week, the West Side Stormwater Structures Maintenance Crew used a Vac truck to complete quarterly cleaning and inspection of nutrient-reducing baffle boxes. Baffle boxes are underground stormwater treatment systems that slow down runoff and capture trash, debris, and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus before they reach local waterways. Regular maintenance reduces the risk of street flooding and overflows while also protecting water quality in rivers and streams.
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- August 13 - A drainage construction crew is replacing deteriorated driveway culvert pipes along North Shell Road in DeLand. The new pipes will improve drainage flow, allowing stormwater to move more efficiently through the roadside swales. This work will help reduce standing water, minimize flooding risks, and prevent stormwater runoff from accumulating on the roadway.
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- August 8 - A canal maintenance crew is working on the G-09 open channel system in the Daytona Park Estates subdivision near DeLand. Crews are removing debris and cleaning the channel to restore its profile, eliminate obstructions, and maintain proper water flow. This routine maintenance helps reduce the risk of flooding and ensures the canal continues to function effectively. The project is expected to be completed within two weeks.
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- July 25 - A Road and Bridge Drainage Construction crew recently completed a drainage pipe repair on Pioneer Trail in New Smyrna Beach, between Sugar Mill Road and Turnbull Bay Road. Using a Gradall excavator and vacuum truck, equipment operators and tradesworkers excavated the area, uncovered the damaged pipe, and made swift repairs to minimize disruption to traffic.
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July 25 - The Volusia County Council approved a series of critical infrastructure and planning projects through the federally funded Transform386 initiative during its meeting on July 22. The projects will help reduce flood risk, modernize essential utilities, and advance long-term recovery efforts in communities impacted by recent hurricanes. Read more.
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July 24 - During the July 22 County Council meeting, staff provided an update on the current status of Miller Lake. Watch the clip from the meeting here.
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July 17 - Volusia County's Stormwater Division is currently performing maintenance on the stormwater exfiltration system in the Halifax Plantation subdivision in Ormond Beach. Crews are using a vacuum truck to clean out the system. These systems are designed to collect and treat runoff by allowing water to slowly seep into the ground, which helps reduce flooding, protect nearby waterways, and improve overall drainage. Over time, their performance can decline as sand, sediment, leaves, and other debris accumulate, making routine maintenance essential to ensure proper function.
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July 10 - The Road and Bridge Division's roadside ditch crew is performing maintenance this week along Clifton Road, between Lake Winona Road and State Road 11 in DeLeon Springs. The work supports ongoing efforts to enhance stormwater drainage and improve roadway safety in the area. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the week.
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- June 18 - Explore the changing landscape of Miller Lake through a series of historical aerial images spanning from 1984 to 2024. These images illustrate seasonal and long-term shifts in water levels and vegetation. To view the document and see how natural patterns and storm events have shaped the lake over time, click here.
- June 16 - Stormwater drainage crews worked in the Oliver Estates subdivision near New Smyrna Beach to perform ditch maintenance. Using a Gradall excavator, they removed debris and sediment to improve water flow and reduce the risk of localized flooding during heavy rain. The excavated material was loaded into dump trucks and transported offsite for proper disposal. This routine maintenance helps ensure the stormwater system functions efficiently and protects nearby homes and roadways.
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- May 30 - Stormwater drainage crews are performed roadside ditch maintenance this week along Pioneer Trail in the New Smyrna Beach area. Taking place between Tomoka Farms Road and Airport Road.
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- May 23 - Stormwater crews performed maintenance on the B-19 Mosquito Control open channel in the Daytona Beach and Port Orange area. The work, located between Madeline Avenue and Big Tree Road, focused on removing sediment and debris while repairing eroded sections along the canal bank. These efforts help ensure the channel flows freely and functions as intended.
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- May 20 - The Volusia County Council approved five new stormwater management and flood mitigation projects aimed at reducing flooding and improving stormwater infrastructure in multiple communities. Read More
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- May 7 - During its May 6 meeting, the Volusia County Council approved the Hurricane Milton Action Plan. The plan highlights $100 million into stormwater improvements, future storm protection, and voluntary buyouts to support flood-impacted homeowners. An additional $20.2 million is also budgeted to assist eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners with repairs and replacement from the storm. The plan will now be submitted to HUD for review and approval. Read the full news release here.
- May 6 - Maintenance work is underway this week along the G-04 drainage canal between Reynolds Road and Lake Hires in the DeLeon Springs area. As part of Volusia County’s ongoing stormwater maintenance program, crews begin by using a slope mower to clear vegetation and create access for the “spider” walking excavator. The spider then removes accumulated sediment and debris to restore the canal’s original profile and help ensure proper water flow. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
- May 5 - Crews spent last week maintaining the LPGA Canal in Holly Hill, clearing vegetation, debris, and sediment to keep the waterway flowing freely. Equipment operators used excavators to restore the ditch profile and remove overgrowth from within the canal, while tree specialists operated a grapple boom truck to clear hazardous trees and debris. The project is expected to wrap up in the coming weeks.
- April 9 - Stormwater Pond Rehabilitation in Orange City
This week, drainage crews are working hard to rehabilitate a stormwater retention pond near Biscayne Drive. The process includes removing accumulated sediment and scarifying the soil to improve percolation, helping the pond recover faster after rain events. Pond rehabilitation is a key part of our dry retention pond maintenance program, ensuring better stormwater management for the community. Stay tuned! Four more ponds in the area are scheduled for the same maintenance soon.
- April 7- During its April 1 meeting, the Volusia County Council approved three studies to address stormwater and flooding issues in areas hit hardest during recent storms. These watershed analyses aim to understand drainage patterns and recommend solutions to reduce future flood risks. Funded through disaster recovery grants, the studies are a key part of the Countywide Stormwater Master Plan. Read More
- April 2 - Volusia County finalized the transfer of 9.04 acres to the City of Edgewater for the maintenance of critical stormwater infrastructure on March 26, marking another step in a collaborative effort to reduce flooding and strengthen stormwater management. Read More
- April 1 - Review the recent Taylor Road Stormwater Study findings and explore potential solutions to mitigate future flooding in the area. Click here to access the project materials for the upcoming community meeting on April 16.
- March 20 - Volusia County’s Road & Bridge Tree Crew and Drainage Task Team completed vegetation clearing along Reed Canal, between South Nova Road and U.S. 1. Equipment operators removed low-hanging vegetation from the canal, while a certified tree specialist addressed hazardous overhanging trees. This work supports stormwater flow and enhances mosquito control by improving conditions for larvivorous fish. See Photo-1, Photo-2 and Photo-3.
- County Council Approves New Flood Mitigation Initiatives – During a special meeting, the Volusia County Council approved key flood mitigation strategies, including soil borings to better understand groundwater conditions, strategic stormwater pond placement, and the integration of a Low Impact Development (LID) matrix to enhance stormwater management. These initiatives aim to reduce flood risks while promoting environmentally responsible development.
- Volusia County Council Directs Staff to Assess Seven Possible Initiatives – In response to increasing flood concerns, the County Council has outlined seven areas for further assessment, including enhanced wetland protections, stronger stormwater infrastructure requirements, and expanded canal maintenance programs. These initiatives reflect the county’s long-term commitment to improving flood resilience.
- County Awards $65M in CDBG-DR Funding for Flood Mitigation Projects – Volusia County has awarded $65 million in Community Development Block Grant, the proposed total cost of those projects was over $117 million with the county, the cities and non-profits have identified other sources of funding as their match which totals just over $52 million. These projects, benefiting multiple municipal governments and unincorporated areas, will improve drainage, upgrade wastewater and stormwater systems, and enhance flood resilience in areas severely impacted by past storms.
