St. Charles Parish residents in the Ormond area who have been coping with persistent flooding issues can expect some relief. The Parish Council, led by President Matthew Jewell, approved a $10 million drainage improvement project aimed at fixing a four-decade problem. In a move to address the recurring water woes, the council sanctioned a substantial investment intended to enhance infrastructural resilience against flooding, according to the St. Charles Parish Government.
The saga of Destrehan's waterlogged streets is set to take a positive turn, with the Parish finally moving forward to significantly reduce the risk of flooding. "Relief is finally on the way for Destrehan residents who have endured repetitive flooding for more than forty years," Jewell stated. Acknowledging the past inaction, he vowed, "Instead of throwing up our hands, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting it done," in a statement obtained by the St. Charles Parish Government.
Strategic enhancements are to include the installation of additional culverts beneath the CN Railway to facilitate improved water flow towards pump stations. The funding for this endeavor partially comes from a HUD Community Development Block Grant Mitigation funds, contributing over $6.3 million, with local funds accounting for the rest. BLD Services, LLC won the contract to execute the project with Barowka and Bonura Engineers and Consultants, LLC taking the helm in engineering services, as reported by the St. Charles Parish Government.
Residents in the area, who have dealt with up to three major flooding incidents within an 18-month period, are eagerly awaiting the commencement of construction. The initiative promises to channel peak runoff flows from a 100-year storm event more effectively. According to the St. Charles Parish Government website, the construction is set to begin promptly this year and is anticipated to last around 12 months.
