Edgewater, one of the hardest-hit flood-stricken cities in Volusia County in 2024, has focused most of its efforts on improving and maintaining the city’s stormwater system.
But recent news from Tallahassee has city officials celebrating what they know will be a significant help in that endeavor.
The city received $1 million in state appropriations for “armoring and revitalizing” its canal system — a major component of the overall stormwater infrastructure.
“It’s the first time the city of Edgewater has received a state appropriation,” said Edgewater Mayor Diezel DePew in an interview with The News-Journal. “It’s a turning point in our community for funding purposes … It’s huge that we received this.”
Since the city’s canal system restructuring in the 1990s, residents have raised concerns about the structures’ deterioration over time and how it has affected Edgewater’s watershed.
“It’s a history-making moment in our community,” he added.
DePew worked on the appropriation’s request himself, with the help of Georgia McKeown, the city’s lobbyist in Tallahassee.
“We have a great team,” the mayor said. “And State Rep. Chase Tramont has been a wonderful representative to us. They really helped us here in the city.”
The city’s request survived Gov. Ron DeSantis’ several budget vetoes for other Volusia County cities’ projects.
Canals in the Florida Shores are a ‘lifeline’ for water flow
According to the city’s request, the funds will be used for “canal armoring embankments” in the Florida Shores neighborhood, where most of last year’s severe flooding incidents took place and where most of the city’s canals are located.
“We have several canals here in the Florida Shores that is a lifeline to water flowing properly here in our community,” DePew said.
For several years, he said, residents have been complaining about canals not being properly maintained, leading to their “deterioration.”
“That causes washouts, and the water cannot flow properly into the canals,” DePew said.
Stormwater outfalls in the city include “the Gabordy and 18th Street canals, as well as other indirect discharges such as the Ariel Canal which is (in) unincorporated in Volusia County, and the Turnbull Hammock,” according to a 2024 report from the city’s Department of Environmental Services.
There are approximately 1,300 properties adjacent to canals in the Florida Shores neighborhood, according to the city.
“Lack of proper maintenance is creating both a safety and health hazard for our most populatedarea,” the city’s application read. “This project will not only enhance an environmental hazard but provide residents with more stability in their mental and physical well-being.”
At the City Council’s July 7 meeting, resident Chuck Martin praised DePew’s efforts in pursuing funds for the city.
“You have been up there many times, and we got the grant,” Martin said. “We have just got to make sure (the money) goes where it is supposed to go.”
Resident: Edgewater canal system should be maintained and upgraded
Sharon McDonagh has lived in the Florida Shores for about 15 years and has seen many parts of the neighborhood get flooded — especially low-lying areas.
“They built all these houses (below road level); it was probably over 30 years ago, but whoever was in the city building department, or the city engineer at the time did not do the job,” she said.
McDonagh said the recent state funds could help the city if the money is used efficiently.
“I think that they have got to maintain what they have and fix what they have, but then they need to look into something different (than a canal system),” McDonagh said.
She argued that the current canal system is unable to handle the rainfall levels the city and surrounding areas have seen in the past few years.
“They need to look into a normal, storm sewer system to get the water away from these homes,” McDonagh said. “Otherwise, the city needs to come up with a bunch of money to raise these homes. You can’t expect the homeowners to do it all.”
Mayor: Public Works ‘stepped up’ since last year’s storms
In addition to the state’s assistance, the city is continuing efforts to prevent last year’s severe flooding.
When asked if the city is better prepared for 2025’s heavy rain summer season, DePew said, “Absolutely.”
“We have a stronger team and stronger management than we had last year,” the mayor said. “We have two pumps that are coming to the city that will be here on standby for any large rainfall — we have never had that here in the city.”
At the end of June, the city’s Public Works Department partnered with Parks and Recreation crews to remove “several hazardous trees threatening a stormwater canal and nearby homes on Umbrella Tree Drive,” according to the city.
Earlier last month, city crews were also “redirecting and managing stormwater accumulation” at the intersection of Air Park Road and Oak Trail.
According to the city, reinforcing the canals will make routine maintenance easier for the department.
DePew said that the recent change in leadership positions last month — Joe Mahoney taking over as interim city manager for Jeff Thurman, who was reassigned to head Public Works — have also proven helpful to stormwater maintenance efforts.
“Public Works has really stepped up,” the mayor said. “We have individuals working overtime on Saturday and Sunday … . Even residents have noticed, and I am very proud of what we are doing here in a short amount of time. We are making up for 20 years of lost time, unfortunately.”
