West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and Florida Representative Rick Roth share updates on the city’s coastal flooding mitigation plans.

WEST PALM BEACH, FLA (December 3, 2021) — At a joint press conference, City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James and Florida Representative Rick Roth (District 85) announced the city’s acceptance of a $105K state grant to help fund the West Palm Beach Flood Mitigation Tidal Valve Project. Thanks to Rep. Roth’s support of a bill to fund tidal valves, and Governor Ron DeSantis’ approval of the budget, the city will be reimbursed for the construction of seven tidal valves.

“On behalf of all City of West Palm Beach residents, we thank Rep. Roth for his support of our city and for his advocacy on our behalf in Tallahassee,” said Mayor James. “These funds will be critical in bolstering our city’s resilience to coastal flooding as a result of sea-level rise.”

“As a farmer in the Glades who economically lives or dies by preventing flooding, I saw that the need and timing was right to fund the West Palm Beach Flood Mitigation Tidal Valve Project,” said Representative Roth. “We will do all we can to help keep Florida the best place to live, work, and play in America!”

Coastal flooding as a result of sea-level rise and climate change has affected areas all throughout South Florida. To help combat the effects, the city has taken proactive steps to harden its infrastructure, in addition to other critical actions.

The West Palm Beach Flood Mitigation Tidal Valve Project involves the installation of tidal check valves on existing stormwater outfall pipes to the Lake Worth Lagoon at 35 locations throughout the city. These valves, which help alleviate tidal flooding, prevent seawater from backing up into drainage infrastructure, while still allowing the outfall to drain.

To learn more about the city’s flood mitigation plan, contact the Public Utilities Department at (561) 822-2210 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or visit wpb.org/utilities. The City of West Palm Beach encourages home and business owners to consider flood insurance as part of their emergency planning. For more information, please contact Ralph Wall, management analyst, at (561) 805-6661 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or at rwall@wpb.org.

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