Drainage project commences in Orlando neighborhood flooded by Hurricane Ian

Huge concrete pipes, manholes, curb inlets and other drainage upgrades are being installed between lakes Davis and Lancaster, among the hardest hit areas in Orlando by flooding from Hurricane Ian.

But the two-foot pipes would have made little impact during the historic rainfall Ian dropped, as a wet, rainy season already had water levels across the city high and a high water table, preventing the rainwater from swiftly draining and leaving no capacity in lakes for extra water to go, officials said.

When it’s complete, the pipes will help move water between the two lakes to help balance water levels, and help with rainy seasons and strong thunderstorms.

“In order for that to have helped, there would have needed to be capacity in Lancaster and I went over there and the water was up over the road,” said Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who represents the area on the City Council. “There was so much water that there was nowhere to move it.”

The work along Brookvilla Avenue between Lake Davis and Briercliff drives was already underway before Ian struck and doused Central Florida with 16-plus inches of rain as it slowly moved through.

It’s the latest set of stormwater upgrades in the so-called Southeast Lakes Drainage area, one of the lowest-lying areas of the city, and a priority to improve drainage for city officials.