The haunting warning that Venice could become “the new Atlantis” offers a powerful lesson for coastal communities like Volusia County. Fresh from exploring Venice’s centuries-long battle with flooding, podcast co-host Lori Becker highlights striking parallels between its resilience and the challenges we face locally.

Port Orange recently secured $3.5 million in state funding for the Madeline-Pepperhill Stormwater Project—matched by another $3.5 million locally—but the full cost exceeds $30 million, with completion not expected until 2026 or later. That delay leaves neighborhoods like Sugar Forest and Pepperhill vulnerable.

Meanwhile, grassroots activism is gaining momentum. Tomoka Farms Village residents successfully fought for rural boundaries, and public resistance continues to grow against developments like Vintage Acres. As residents struggle with personal flood mitigation and delayed aid through Elevate Florida, the call for smarter growth and faster solutions grows louder.

With hurricane season looming, the message is urgent: Volusia County must act now. Visit floridadisaster.org and join efforts like the Volusia Response Recovery Corps. Let’s not be the canary in the coal mine—let’s be the change.

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This show is produced by Beachside Productions

Contact Alec Ferguson

Alecferguson21@gmail.com

Flooding has become a defining challenge for Port Orange and surrounding Volusia County communities, especially in areas built before modern stormwater regulations existed. This episode dives into the recently unveiled $120 million stormwater management plan featuring nine major projects designed to protect approximately 700 homes throughout the region.

We explore how Port Orange grew from just 3,000 residents in the 1970s to 18,000 in the 1980s, with 54% of buildings constructed before stormwater regulations were established in 1990. These older neighborhoods, particularly east of Nova Road in what locals call "the old city," now bear the brunt of regional water flow problems.

Beyond the engineering aspects, we discuss the human element of this crisis - how community organizations are developing "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" programs to build resilience networks, and how residents whose homes aren't included in the major projects can pursue options through programs like Elevate Florida. The evolving relationship between affected residents and city officials shows promising signs of cooperation after months of frustration.

Whether you're directly affected by flooding or simply concerned about your community's future, this episode provides crucial context for understanding one of the most significant infrastructure challenges facing Volusia County. Subscribe to Volusia County Uncovered for continuing coverage of this developing story and upcoming episodes focused on home-level mitigation strategies you can implement now.

Send us a text

This show is produced by Beachside Productions

Contact Alec Ferguson

Alecferguson21@gmail.com

Two years after devastating floods and countless promises from officials, Port Orange residents just discovered their salvation has been postponed. The Cambridge Basin project and Pepper Hill Madeline Pond improvements—critical flood prevention infrastructure—won't begin until 2026, leaving vulnerable neighborhoods exposed through multiple hurricane seasons.

VCU dives deep into the troubling timeline shifts affecting Volusia County's stormwater management. Projects originally slated for completion years ago remain in limbo while residents face the terrifying prospect of repeated flooding. Beyond official plans, the hosts share grassroots mitigation strategies—from French drains to furniture elevation—that residents are implementing while waiting for long-term solutions.

The human toll of these delays cannot be overstated. Residents describe anxiety, financial strain, and the emotional exhaustion of living with uncertainty. Yet through community support and information sharing, they're finding ways to face these challenges together.

Join the conversation on the "Volusia County Uncovered" Facebook page, attend the next Port Orange city commission meeting, and help keep officials accountable for the promises made to protect our communities. Together, we can demand transparency and action for Volusia County's flood-prone neighborhoods.

Send us a text

This show is produced by Beachside Productions

Contact Alec Ferguson

Alecferguson21@gmail.com