PORT ORANGE, FL — In a major win for flood resilience and infrastructure modernization, the City of Port Orange has been awarded more than $21 million through Volusia County’s Transform386 program. The funding will support four large-scale stormwater improvement projects designed to protect neighborhoods, enhance drainage systems, and increase the city’s capacity to handle severe weather events.
💧 What’s Coming to Port Orange:
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✅ Installation of advanced drainage systems to better manage runoff during heavy rains
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✅ Expansion of stormwater retention and conveyance infrastructure
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✅ Flood mitigation measures targeting historically vulnerable residential zones
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✅ Long-term resilience planning to prepare for future climate impacts
Transform386, launched in response to federal recovery initiatives, aims to fortify communities across Volusia County by investing in infrastructure that can withstand increasingly volatile weather patterns. Port Orange’s allocation is among the largest to date, signaling both the urgency and scale of the city’s stormwater challenges.
🌧️ Why It Matters: Port Orange has faced repeated flooding issues in recent years, with hurricanes and tropical storms overwhelming outdated systems. The new projects are expected to reduce flood risk for thousands of residents and businesses, while also improving water quality and environmental sustainability.
But while Port Orange celebrates, neighboring Edgewater finds itself under scrutiny. Despite being eligible for Transform386 funding, Edgewater has yet to announce any major stormwater initiatives. Residents and local advocates are voicing concerns, questioning whether city officials are doing enough to secure available resources and address long-standing drainage problems.
📣 Community Voices: “I’m thrilled for Port Orange, but it’s frustrating to see Edgewater fall behind,” said one Edgewater resident. “We’ve had flooding issues for years, and there’s money on the table. Why aren’t we going after it?”
County officials have reiterated that Transform386 remains open to proposals from all municipalities, but declined to comment on Edgewater’s participation. The program has already funded dozens of projects across Volusia County, from culvert replacements to green infrastructure upgrades.
As Port Orange prepares to break ground, the spotlight may soon shift to Edgewater — and whether it will rise to the challenge or risk being left behind in the race for resilience.
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