New Smyrna Beach , Fla. — The city of New Smyrna Beach is making changes to future and existing developments to prevent flooding. Eyewitness News has reported how cities across Volusia County have responded to historic flooding for several months.
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More than 1,000 homes flooded in New Smyrna Beach after Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Then, two years later, Milton made its way through the area and impacted some of the same homes for a second time.
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Howie Snyder had about 12 inches of water in his home during Ian.
Nearly everyone in his neighborhood, including the one directly behind him, had some form of flood damage.
“Everybody had that much water or more and we watched people leave in boats, elderly people who were by themselves,” said Snyder.
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The city is now taking steps to prevent flooding from getting that bad in the future. Updated stormwater regulations will change the design criteria for ponds, ditches and swales in new developments. It will also reduce the amount of water discharge allowed and increase water storage capacity in newer neighborhoods.
Snyder is thankful action is finally happening but worries it won’t be enough, especially in older neighborhoods like his.
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There is a less pervious area for water to naturally drain than it did 30, 40, 50 years ago. That helps the new developments. But where we’re at, we’re kind of stuck with that. I mean there are programs to raise your home, but I don’t think they are cost effective,” said Snyder.
The meeting where the new plan is being discussed is on Tuesday at city hall.
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