PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Environmental organizations in Pennsylvania and Delaware are teaming up to study flooding from a major watershed.
In 2021, Hurricane Ida took a heavy toll on communities that line the Brandywine Creek, which runs from Chester and Delaware counties to Wilmington, Delaware.
The hurricane, which caused one of the biggest floods in 200 years along the Brandywine, caused more than $100 million in flood damages to public infrastructure and destroyed many people's homes.
Grant DeCosta with the Brandywine Conservancy says its for reasons like these that led them to form the Brandywine Flood Study, a one-year project created in partnership with the Chester County Water Resources Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center.
“In addition to better understanding the hydrological cycles that are leading to more flooding, we are going to have recommended mitigation strategies that can be implemented,” DeCosta said.
“Some small or easier solutions to some full floodplain restoration that will take years.”
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Once the flood study is complete, the partners will help implement the recommendations so that residents in both states are better prepared when severe flooding events occur.
They plan to host public workshops to gain community feedback and engage with those impacted by the flood. The study is expected to be completed by June 2024.
To learn more about the study and upcoming meetings, click here.
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