Private groups, city prep for flooding; Idea is to implement plans to protect Annapolis
It started around
In the low-light of early morning on
If something doesn't change, every day in downtown
"In the state of
Craig and the Weather It Together initiative have spent four years researching, analyzing and gathering data. The result is a forthcoming report and this week's Keeping History Above Water conference, where the focus will be on how
The Weather It Together plan will propose actions that include from how to educate residents and business owners on flood risks to how to retrofit buildings to prevent water damage. The plan also endorses a 30-year master plan for sea level rise across the city, Craig said.
Though the conference is the culmination of Craig's and other's efforts, flood mitigation is nothing new. The 2009 comprehensive report and 2013 City Dock Master Plan reference the downtown vulnerabilities. The City Dock Master Plan proposes including a study like the one Weather It Together has produced, to staunch the nuisance flooding.
The city will reconfigure the storm drain system so water coming in on both sides of
"That way, the water can't backflow," he said.
The city will also raise seawalls to prevent the slowly rising sea-level from cascading over top during high tide and storm events.
The city will award a full design contract, Jarrell said. That process will take until
The construction will cost an estimated
"We have lots of seminars here and we have lots of experts come to the town, and I think that is admirable," Buckley said. "But I think what we really need to be thinking is civic investment."
Buckley, should he win the general election, said he'd be willing to learn more about the city's plan but would want to take cues from
The city, in conjunction with the conference, partnered with researchers from the
"In most coastal communities, documentation usually exists, but the documentation is a little older or needs more accurate data," said
Some property owners have already taken action to protect against flooding.
"When you're spending the time and the money to do the job right, you need to consider this," said
Hammond-Wilson has also designed a perimeter garden wall that will keep water away from the old recreation center building, which has been renovated for condominiums.
Navigating city code can still be a challenge. Wilson said his firm had to be creative while working with the
"It's a big problem," he said. "We've talked at length with the city. Everyone agrees it needs to be done, but it's a lengthy process. It's months of work and the
The Weather It Together plan proposes a "reevaluation of height limits and changes to city code to allow for a new design flood elevation height," Craig wrote in an email.
Craig hopes the city in the next four years can "make sure there is an individual who is working through the established silos of government" to implement the Weather It Together plan.
"Are we prepared for some type of flooding disaster?" she said. "It's not just the long-term sea level rise. It's the things we're not prepared for."
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