Funding for Stormwater Mitigation Projects 7-27-26

Mayor Kenneth T. Welch and Congresswoman Kathy Castor hosted a press conference on Monday to announce more than $2.29 million in federal funding awarded for two stormwater flood mitigation projects.

This funding came from Community Project Funding Requests submitted by Rep. Castor on behalf of the City of St. Petersburg and was awarded through FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant program. The funding will support infrastructure upgrades in two flood-prone areas of the city, reducing roadway and structure flooding and improving stormwater system resiliency for residents.

Together, these projects are expected to reduce roadway and structure flooding, improve emergency access and public safety during storm events, and strengthen the long-term reliability of the city's stormwater infrastructure.

MLK St. South Flooding Alleviation  $1,145,144

This project will elevate the Phase 1 section of Martin Luther King Jr. Street South, south of Salt Creek, to address flooding that currently makes the road impassable during heavy rain. The section was identified through the city's Basin C Analysis as too low, allowing ponding when lake levels and tail water conditions overwhelm the subsurface drainage system. Storm culverts along the roadway will be upsized to improve drainage capacity for current and future conditions.

88th Avenue and 4th Street North Storm Drainage Improvements  $1,145,144

This project addresses recurring street flooding near a tidally influenced stormwater outfall, where sea level rise and increasingly intense rain events especially during high tide have caused frequent flooding for residents. Improvements include upsizing and replacing stormwater conveyance systems, installing new inlets and underground piping, and adding stormwater storage through detention or retention facilities, with green infrastructure elements incorporated where feasible to improve water quality and reduce runoff. #stpete #stpetefl