Teamwork in Action

Daytona Beach received nearly eight inches of rain over a six-day period last week, but thanks to proactive work by the city's Utilities Department, neighborhoods were better protected from potential flooding.

In the days leading up to and during the storm, seven crews worked across three sections of the city to clean, inspect and reinforce the stormwater system. Last week, crews cleared debris from 428 catch basins citywide, removing more than 22 cubic yards of material. In addition, Utilities teams removed 60 cubic yards of debris from a 300-foot ditch near the Shangri-La subdivision in a two day period and filled multiple washouts along the Bill France ditch system to restore proper flow. Nearly 4,000 feet of open channel ditches were also visually inspected to confirm capacity.

Crews took steps to manage water levels in advance of the heaviest downpours, proactively pumping down stormwater ponds to increase capacity. At the Bowman pump station, Utilities staff responded when the system reached peak capacity and restored it to full operation. At Gardiner Court, they cleaned the wet-well to ensure submersible pumps could run without obstruction.

In flood-prone Fairway Estates, crews televised more than 1,300 feet of storm pipe to check for blockages, ensuring that underground systems were clear.

The strategic and focused efforts of our Utilities crews demonstrate the city's commitment to storm readiness and flood protection.