The Alachua County Public Works Department has been lauded by local homeowners for its effective response to Hurricane Debby, which struck in early August. The storm, which brought between 5 and 7 inches of rain to the area, tested the County's upgraded stormwater infrastructure. The rainfall was in addition to a high volume of precipitation received in the week preceding the storm.
Despite these challenging conditions, Alachua County's infrastructure performed admirably. "We are pleased to report that no homes were flooded, and all roads remained passable during the storm," said Ramon Gavarrete, P.E., Director of Alachua County Public Works. "This is something that many people would have thought impossible just a few years ago."
When Gavarrete joined the County in 2016, the primary flood prevention strategy involved the installation of portable pumps and temporary piping before each storm. This method required hundreds of hours of staff time and often failed to prevent flooding of homes and streets. Following Hurricane Irma in 2017, Gavarrete spearheaded a new approach to stormwater management. The updated plan included the construction of permanent pump stations, the installation of more efficient automated pumps, and the addition of permanent underground piping. With only minor incidental items remaining, the majority of this work was completed by the County's Public Works staff. This new system significantly reduces staff time and allows for increased focus on other critical tasks, such as distributing sandbags and clearing roads.
Since Tropical Storm Elsa in July 2021, Alachua County has invested approximately $1.5 million in enhancing its stormwater infrastructure. Funding for these improvements was primarily sourced from the County's stormwater assessment and gas tax revenues. "This was the real test of our new system," Gavarrete noted. "We are very proud of its performance and are already making adjustments to enhance its effectiveness further."
For more information, please contact Mr. James Link, Civil Engineer II, at 352-548-1289.
