Mulberry applies for hurricane safety grant
The town of Mulberry is making use of for a multi-million-dollar grant that may mitigate the danger of flooding at its wastewater plant and forestall a possible environmental catastrophe. FOX 13’s Carla Bayron stories.
MULBERRY, Fla. – The town of Mulberry is making use of for a multi-million-dollar grant that may mitigate the danger of flooding at its wastewater plant and forestall a possible environmental catastrophe.
“When it backs as much as the west, it will begin coming onto the property,” stated John Wright, town’s Utility Director.
What we all know:
Throughout a hurricane or heavy rain occasion, water from the north converges on each side of the wastewater plant in Mulberry and dumps into the Alafia River.
Usually, the river is about 30 ft extensive, however throughout a hurricane, it could possibly develop to 300 ft extensive.
“Each hurricane, we’re on the market at 2, 3, or 4 within the morning, scrambling to maintain these waters from the Alafia away from the wastewater plant,” stated metropolis supervisor Rick Johnson.
To keep away from main flood points and an environmental catastrophe, town utilized for a $40,400,000 hurricane safety grant that lately turned accessible and is funded 100% by the state.
With the funds, town would be capable to dig a trench and construct a berm across the plant, which might additionally alleviate flooding in close by neighborhoods.
They’re going to additionally be capable to enhance communication between their two vegetation.
“A part of this grant features a part that permits our water vegetation to speak with each other via a system, even when we lose communication. There is a fiber optic communication,” stated Johnson.
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If town receives the grant, the ditch and berm would take years to assemble.
“It will maintain the water on that facet of the wastewater plant,” stated Wright. “It will not come over onto the operations facet, so we cannot have to fret about it interrupting operations.”
The town hopes to listen to again in regards to the grant in November.
What we do not know:
It is unclear whether or not town will obtain the total grant or a partial grant. In the event that they obtain solely a partial grant, they must forgo the improved fiber optic communication.
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The Supply: Data for this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Carla Bayron.
