Flood Mitigation Planning Study – West Cedar Street, Lewes
Location Lewes, DE
Client City of Lewes
Date of Completion 2022
Services #Consulting
Sectors #Coastal Resiliency #Consulting #Environmental #Funding Assistance #Government #Stormwater Management
GMB assisted the City of Lewes and the Lewes Board of Public Works in producing a flood risk-reduction study related to recurring tidal flooding at the west end of Cedar Street. This project is being funded through a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant provided by FEMA and administered by DEMA.
The goal of the West Cedar Street Flood Mitigation Planning Study is to identify environmental/structural stabilization and flood protection projects for future implementation. These projects are necessary since previously installed berms and tide-limiting pipe systems have deteriorated and failed over time. The purpose of the proposed projects will be to protect the West Cedar Street residences and institutions (especially the Children’s Beach House) from existing flood conditions and flood conditions expected from future climate change and sea-level rise scenarios. The Study will enable the City of Lewes Mitigation Planning Team to maintain focus on environmental/structural “brick & mortar” projects to improve the City’s resiliency to existing and future flood risks.
GMB’s role includes the following:
- Data collection: including obtaining both qualitative and quantitative information from residents, businesses, and institutions affected by the recurring.
- Determine the level of vulnerability of the flood-prone study area in terms of present-day tidal and storm surge effects, including a statistical representation of the chances of flooding – and the study area’s vulnerability based on projected sea-level rise scenarios.
- Evaluation of flood mitigation structure alternatives that would allow normal tides to infiltrate the nearby tidal marshlands but eliminate storm, and other tidal events, from reaching flood-prone areas. The study also includes an analysis of the effects any alternative might have on adjacent properties.
The Study will be continually updated and presented publicly through the City’s regular Mitigation Planning Team meetings – the City, Lewes Board of Public Works, State and Federal agencies, and local stakeholders will all be part of those meetings and discussions. Upon completion of the Study, the Mitigation Planning Team will make a recommendation of approval to both City Council and the Lewes Board of Public Works.
Study recommendations will be an ongoing Lewes Mitigation Planning Team meeting agenda item, and “brick and mortar” recommendations from the Study will be included in future grant and loan applications.
