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‘More action, less talking:’ Residents, officials gather to address Port Orange flooding concerns

Meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Port Orange Regional Library

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County Chair Jeff Brower is hosting a town hall meeting on Wednesday to address concerns about flooding in Port Orange.

During the meeting, residents will be able to share experiences with flooding, ask questions, and learn more about efforts to remedy what has been an ongoing issue in some neighborhoods.

Kevin Stevenson’s family experienced flooding at their home in the Sleepy Hollow neighborhood earlier this month.

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“Our drain out here in front was just swirling. It was not draining like it should be,” Stevenson said. “There was flooding in my bathroom, my living room, my kitchen, and some of my daughter’s closet.”

On Sept. 7, heavy rainfall coincided with a king tide that overwhelmed Port Orange’s canals, ponds, and drainage systems.

In the neighborhood, which has flooded during hurricanes in past decades, the city has applied for funding to improve drainage. Plans include new inlets, larger pipes, and a large pumping station. However, design work won’t begin until late 2026, with construction following after.

“That does none of us any good, especially when we’re in the midst of hurricane season,” Stevenson said. “I want to see more action, less talking about it.”

According to Volusia County, several officials have been invited to attend the town hall, including representatives from the St. Johns Water Management District, Florida Department of Transportation, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, and Oak Hill.

The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Port Orange Regional Library.

People planning to attend the meeting are encouraged to submit questions in advance by emailing townhall@volusia.org.


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