Experienced in disaster planning, the Louisiana consulting firm Plexos Group engaged with the city of Galveston, Texas, in efforts to boost mitigation funding across a variety of community and infrastructure initiatives. The company initially worked to secure Texas General Land Office funding for a Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) project.
Plexos is now assisting the city in administering the CDBG-MIT funds as part of the $55 million South Shore Drainage project. Part of a rising coastal protection strategy, the funds will help expand the existing storm drainage system capacity in ways that significantly reduce flooding and property damage risks.
Situated on Galveston Island, a barrier island, the city is one of the most vulnerable in the United States to tropical storms, hurricanes, and high Gulf of Mexico tides. The upgraded system spans 9,000 linear feet and is able to handle stormwater drainage for a 25-year event. In addition, an outfall pump station is being constructed on English Bayou that can handle outflow of approximately 200 cubic feet per second, and is designed to retain water from a 100-year storm event.
Kirk Fisher 