Orange County to start 2nd project to try to alleviate Orlo Vista flooding issues

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County said it’s putting a second project into motion to help the hard-hit Orlo Vista community ahead of the upcoming hurricane season.

In March, construction started on a $23 million fix to expand retention ponds to alleviate flooding. That project is ongoing. In one of the ponds, crews have pumped out water and are working on making it deeper.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

The state is set to give Orange County $2 million for a new project also meant to address community flooding. That project will move stormwater from the Orlo Vista lake system to Shingle Creek and then farther south. That water will eventually be reclaimed for Orange County’s water supply to be used for things like irrigation.

Read: Work begins on $23M Orlo Vista flood mitigation project

Orange County originally asked the state for $6 million to make the new Orlo Vista project possible, but only got $2 million, which means there is a funding gap.

The plan to expand the retention ponds is set to wrap up by 2024, and the new plan to pump out and reclaim water is set to be finished by 2027.

Read: Orlo-Vista community to hear about plans to prevent flooding from major storms

VIDEO: For some Orlo Vista residents, the nightmare of Hurricane Ian remains For some Orlo Vista residents, the nightmare of Hurricane Ian remains

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2023 Cox Media Group