Impact Depends on when Property was Built

Impact Depends on when Property was Built

A large portion of Volusia County’s stormwater infrastructure was built before modern regulations were enacted, meaning many older drainage systems, retention ponds, and culverts were not constructed to convey and hold the volume of runoff we have experienced in recent storm events. Before the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) established stormwater standards in 1983, and before additional restrictions were adopted in 1988, many stormwater systems lacked the retention and drainage capacity required to prevent flooding. As a result, older neighborhoods and roadways are more vulnerable to stormwater backups, ponding, and localized flooding during heavy rain events.

Stormwater regulations adopted in 1988 by Volusia County are more restrictive than state-level standards, meaning that newer developments have been required to construct stormwater retention and drainage infrastructure that protects the properties within the development, but also prevents impacts to offsite properties. While these regulations have improved flood resilience in recently developed areas, many older neighborhoods predate these standards, making them more susceptible to flooding.