Savannah Faces Flooding Challenges: Community Takes Action
Habersham Village: A Neighborhood Battle Against Flooding
Savannah, Ga. has earned a bit of a reputation when it comes to heavy rainfall and the occasional flooding that follows. One local business, Bella’s Italian Cafe, has been a front-row spectator to this natural drama. Owner Joyce Shanks is no stranger to high water, and when the rain came pouring down on Thursday, she was ready for action.
“We’ve been through this so many times that once the waters started to drain, we were able to get everyone to help and get things cleaned up,” Shanks explained with a sigh of relief. Her dedicated team rallied to tidy up and had the restaurant back in business before long — a quick turnaround that wasn’t always possible in the past.
Reflecting on earlier flooding episodes, Shanks recounted, “The worst it has ever been was about 10 years ago. I had a restaurant full of people, and they were standing on their chairs because we couldn’t open the doors!” It’s clear that this resilient restaurant owner has become adept at handling Mother Nature’s whims.
Improvements Made but More Needed
Shanks credits the City of Savannah for significant upgrades to stormwater drainage in the area, saying, “It hasn’t happened since we had a lot of drainage work done here years ago, and since then, water would rarely come into the restaurants.”
However, just because things have improved doesn’t mean the flooding problem in Savannah is entirely under control. The city is now grappling with funding options to ramp up the stormwater drainage system further. “We need a designated fund for stormwater infrastructure because our position on the coast isn’t going anywhere and these tropical systems aren’t going anywhere either,” expressed Nick Palumbo, a District 4 Council member.
In a decision made this past year, the city council opted to maintain the current millage rate rather than reduce it, resulting in approximately $5 million in city funds. “A good chunk of that money went into kickstarting the current stormwater drainage fund,” Palumbo noted. But, as he pointed out, “$5 million gets eaten up so incredibly quickly,” and it was all used to leverage federal grant opportunities and to upgrade storm drains and pump systems.
The Need for Continued Investment
With stormwater drainage taking priority, the council has explored nearly every other funding avenue available. The idea of introducing a small monthly fee for residents has just emerged in discussions. Although still in its infancy, Palumbo indicated that this fee could average around $5 a month for a single-family home.
That fee might seem small to individuals, but when looking at the bigger picture, Savannah city officials estimate that they need to make nearly $245 million in improvements within the city limits. “We are seeing the effects of lack of investment in places like Habersham Village, the 4th District, and the city of Savannah,” Palumbo added.
Interestingly, neighboring areas like Garden City and Richmond Hill already have stormwater utilities. This suggests a possible trend that Savannah could follow, as city staff are currently studying the feasibility and impact of the potential new fee.
Looking Ahead
As the community continues to tackle these flooding concerns, many locals are hopeful that the recent conversations will lead to actionable solutions that protect Savannah’s cherished neighborhoods and businesses. With the efforts of engaged citizens like Joyce Shanks, and city leaders like Nick Palumbo, the goal is clear: ensuring that Savannah can weather the storm — both figuratively and literally.
With so much at stake, the community is bracing itself for whatever comes next, armed with resilience and a willingness to adapt for a brighter, drier future. It’s clear Savannah is ready to face the challenges ahead, keeping a close eye on the sky and preparing for what’s to come.
