Volusia County shares potential flood solutions for DeLand, but immediate progress is unlikely

DELAND, Fla. – Volusia County has announced possible solutions to address the persistent flooding issues in DeLand, particularly affecting homeowners along Taylor Road. Residents have reported flooding during the last several hurricanes, and the situation continues to worsen.

The county this week shared the findings of a stormwater study, which includes several capital improvement options aimed at reducing flooding for these homeowners.

Many residents along Taylor Road have taken matters into their own hands while awaiting official solutions. One couple constructed a berm after their home flooded during Hurricane Ian in 2022 and again during Hurricane Milton last year.

“It was a shock. It was absolutely a shock. I’ll admit it was a shock,” said Pam Teator.

Teator and her husband have invested thousands into repairing their home since the flooding incidents. They just finished renovations last week, only to learn that one of the stormwater study’s proposed solutions involves tearing down their house. They hope the county will present them with a fair offer.

“The first thing we plan to do is enjoy our home for as long as we can and hope for the best,” said Teator.

The three proposed options include installing a pump station at an existing retention pond, expanding that retention pond, and installing a gravity outfall at the pond, which would require the county to acquire the Teators’ neighboring property.

County officials stated that all three solutions would need to be implemented to effectively address the flooding problems in the area.

“It’s the same old story, blaming it on rainfall like we haven’t had water for the last six years,” said JC Figueredo.

Figueredo believes more needs to be studied regarding the water impact of new developments in the area and how water movement contributes to flooding.

“In 2021, the city’s expert said to shut down all water movement, and still to this day, it hasn’t stopped,” said Figueredo.

The county indicated that it cannot begin work on any of these projects until next year, meaning residents will face another hurricane season without a solution in place.