Latest news with #floodmitigation
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Texas asks voters to approve billions to avoid future water shortages
Lawmakers in the Lone Star state will ask voters to make a Texas-sized investment in the state's water future, as part of a push to stave off looming shortages in one of the fastest-growing corners of the nation. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Wednesday afternoon is slated to sign into law a central piece of a legislative package aimed at helping Texas tap into new sources of water over the coming decades, as well as to invest in flood mitigation, conservation and repairs and upgrades to aging infrastructure in many communities.
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Klang River restoration lays bare haunting finds — over 10 bodies including baby discovered since 2022, along with fridges, motorbikes
SHAH ALAM – More than 10 bodies, including that of an infant, have been discovered during the ongoing Klang River Flood Mitigation Project under the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) initiative, shedding light on a grim reality behind the restoration of the river. As reported by Sinar Harian, Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) managing director, Syaiful Azmen Nordin, said the discovery of bodies is not an isolated incident but has occurred almost monthly since dredging and widening works began on November 1, 2022. 'So far, we have handed over more than 10 bodies to the police and fire department for further investigation,' he was quoted as saying. Aside from the grim finds, the team has also encountered severe pollution, having retrieved various heavy waste items such as refrigerators, lorry tyres, bed frames, mattresses, sofas and even motorcycles from the riverbed. 'I honestly don't understand how a fridge ends up in the river,' he said, describing the current level of pollution as severe and a challenge to the dredging efforts. The mitigation project forms part of SMG's holistic efforts to increase the Klang River's capacity by up to 40 per cent, while also rehabilitating the ecosystem and improving water quality to at least Class III on the Water Quality Index (WQI).
CBC
12-06-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Here's what Sussex to build next in its fight to keep floodwaters out
Social Sharing If you stand in the trees and brush between Trout Creek and Kurtis Carter and Kassandra Chudiak's home in Sussex, you can hear water rushing by. Once a selling point for the couple, who moved into their Meadow Crescent house from Ontario three years ago, proximity to the creek is now the reason Carter has bought a backup property in another part of New Brunswick. "I really hope this helps," he said of the town's latest flood-control projects. "But at the same time, I still need to have a contingency." Years after creating a final flood risk mitigation plan, the Town of Sussex recently got the green light from the federal government to begin building multimillion-dollar channels and another berm to divert water around the downtown into the Kennebecasis River. Like other residents and business owners in town, Carter and Chudiak have had to become experts in dealing with floods in their basement, sometimes as high as four feet, or about 1.2 metres. And while they're hopeful about the next big steps in the town's flood plan, the couple are still waiting to see how those plans will hold up against water levels that rise almost yearly. WATCH | Next steps in flood mitigation in Sussex 'all about diverting': 3 major flood-mitigation projects moving forward in Sussex 4 hours ago Duration 3:50 After getting the green light from the federal government, the Town of Sussex is moving ahead with projects to mitigate the flooding that residents face every year. "I think it's long overdue," Carter said. "I think that they're doing what they think is best. Mother nature is going to do what she wants, and we're just kind of along for the ride." In Carter's backyard are bits of orange tape tied to trees. He believes these represent where a mounting berm is going to be built to contain water from the creek, which swells in heavy rain. It's first of three major infrastructure projects the town believes will be difference-makers for protecting Sussex from future flooding 2019, the municipality built a berm behind the Gateway Mall downtown. It's a large barrier made of dirt and natural elements. Placed along riverbeds and creeks, it can contain overflow that would otherwise spill onto roads and other areas where it isn't wanted, said Jason Thorne, the chief administrative officer. It's "basically where the Kennebecasis River rejoins Trout Creek to the western end of town," he said of the first berm. "[It] has proven extremely valuable and a critical first step." A second berm will be built this summer, Thorne said, along the section of Trout Creek that backs Carter and his partner's community, and it will extend toward Sussex Corner Elementary School. According to the master plan, the berm will have an average height of 2.3 metres, and span more than 700 metres, with a trail built along the top of it. The total cost of the barrier, including the cost of buying necessary properties around it, is estimated at $2.5 of the berm will be built on school property, Thorne said, so the project needs to be completed by the fall in time for the students' return to school. "That's to protect a neighbourhood that has been greatly impacted by flooding events over the course of the last number of years," he said, referring to Sussex Corner, which is now part of the town. "We know that some people, unfortunately, with some weather forecasts, don't sleep at night. So it does have very serious impacts." Channels to divert overflow into Kennebecasis Also in the pipeline are two large channels, which will be dug in key areas of the municipality to funnel water from smaller waterways into the Kennebecasis River north of town. "Specifically, this project is all about diverting a certain percentage of the waters that normally flow through the core of our community and that problematic portion," Thorne said. One channel will direct water from Parsons Brook in the southeast corner of town into the larger Trout Creek, which passes straight through the municipality and is the main source of flooding downtown. It's expected to be about two metres deep. The Trout Creek diversion channel will be closer to three metres deep and will connect Trout Creek northward with the Kenebecasis River. Crossing several roads and a major highway, the Trout Creek channel is by far the bigger job with an estimated cost of $16 million. The Parsons Brook channel is estimated at $1.8 million Another reason the green light from Ottawa is a milestone, Thorne said, is that it reduces the timeline for completion of the project by up to three years, and could save the municipality as much as $250,000. The entire plan, including the two channels, is scheduled to be complete by 2028, and it's a "really critical … project for us to put behind us as a community," he said. A federal agency that assesses the impact that large projects will have on the environment has helped to streamline the process for the municipality moving forward. Part of the approvals surrounding the mitigation project demanded the town submit a report outlining the ways diversion channels might impact local environments and species. The federal government held open houses with residents and Indigenous groups and decided no further research into the impact was needed. This means the town won't need to pay for an in-depth federal assessment. Thorne said the town still has a list of permits to obtain to be able to build the berm and channels, and it's already bought certain properties and homes it needs to access the areas where those projects will be built. Carter hopes he and Chudiak will be able to stay,a nd he wants the town to hold community information sessions soon than later so people can better understand how the projects will affect them and their properties. "I think it's the start of something good," he said. "My hope is that we're able to use more of the land here that we bought and not worry about it getting all kind of washed away."
Malay Mail
09-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Sibu flood mitigation Phase 4 awaits SPA green light, Bukit Assek rep calls for swift approval
SIBU June 9 — The design for Phase 4 of Sibu flood mitigation project is complete and currently awaiting approval from the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA), said Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng. Joseph expressed hope that the tendering process will commence this year, enabling the project to begin in 2026. 'Now it's subject to SPA approval, then we can proceed straight to tender. I hope we can tender it this year and start work next year,' he said. He highlighted that Phase 4 of the project addresses a vital 'missing link' between Jalan Aman and Kampung Hilir, and aims to protect approximately 618 hectares of central Sibu, including Bukit Assek. He said this to reporters when met during a sacrificial meat distribution event at Masjid Al-Muhajirin Sentosa yesterday, held in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha. Also in attendance were Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Bukit Assek chairman Datuk Chieng Buong Toon and mosque chairman Ramli Hussin. During the event, Joseph contributed one cow to the sacrificial ceremony, which saw a total of seven cows slaughtered for distribution to families in need. 'We respect the values of Islam, particularly compassion, charity, and helping the poor. These are universal values shared by all, regardless of religion, background, or race,' he said. This year's distribution targeted the underprivileged families, reinforcing the celebration's message of solidarity and support across the community. — The Borneo Post
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tampa's SoHo braces for stormwater project amid business concerns
The Brief Tampa's flood mitigation project on South Howard Avenue is moving forward to fix chronic flooding. Local businesses fear the construction could force permanent closures, but some residents say it's necessary. The city says construction won't begin until summer 2026 and will happen in phases. TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa officials are pushing ahead with a major stormwater improvement project along South Howard Avenue — better known as SoHo — aimed at resolving decades of neighborhood flooding. What we know The project will upgrade aging storm pipes that city engineers said are too small to handle even typical summer rainstorms. To fix it, they'll dig up parts of South Howard Avenue, and install drainage pipes five times larger, starting near Swann Avenue. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube City officials said the work will be done block-by-block in six to nine-week intervals, with efforts to maintain access to businesses throughout construction. "Doing nothing is really not an option. We know we have flooding just from regular storms every summer on a recurring basis," said Jean Duncan with the City of Tampa. "In our opinion, we have picked the least disruptive route possible, considering residential impacts, business impacts … We want to see all these businesses succeed." What we don't know Exactly how individual businesses will be impacted — or how many may shut their doors permanently — remains to be seen. A representative for the SoHo Business Alliance warns smaller restaurants may not survive. READ: Popular Tampa dog bar Pups Pub closing, owners cite changes to state regulation enforcement "There's not one business in this section that's supporting this project, not one," said Steve Michelini with the SoHo Business Alliance. "The businesses will shut down. The larger ones may be able to survive. The small restaurants, they're gone." What's next Construction won't start until next summer. The city will host another public meeting in the fall to share updates and gather more community input. The Source This story is based on public remarks and interviews taken during a city-hosted community meeting at the Tampa Garden Club on June 4, 2025. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
