May 20, 2013
Tallahassee, FL -- April 14, 2012
Leon County held a celebration Saturday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Timber Lake subdivision to mark the completion of the community’s flood relief project.
The project, which was initiated in September 2011, began after Leon County received a federal grant worth $2.4 million to prevent the community from excessive flooding. In the past 15 years, Timber Lake had flooded numerous times with the most well-known occurrence in 2008 from Tropical Storm Fay when rain gauges recorded a deluging 19.5 inches of rain.
Thirty-five homes flooded during the storm. Streets and homes were flooded for days. The depth of water on the entrance road was estimated at nearly 5 feet. As a result, evacuations by boat became a necessity.
Because of the storm’s impact, the area became eligible for the federal grant. Grant funding allowed for a storm-water pond to be constructed adding to the community’s existing pond. A small retaining wall was erected to help better control off-site water from flooding adjacent homes and the lone entrance was raised about 1.5 feet to better withstand future events.
During the construction process, one of the state’s largest Cottonwood trees was preserved providing a pleasing focal point for the subdivision’s outdoor common area.
For more information contact Jon D. Brown, Director of Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 694-1405 or cmr@LeonCountyFL.gov.
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