September 25, 2019 – Major funding has been secured for the $15 million East Baton Rouge Stormwater Master Plan, the first of its kind in this community. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome commissioned the plan in April 2017, less than 1 year after the Great Flood. When complete, the Master Plan will provide critical guidance for drainage projects and maintenance throughout the City-Parish.

“Reducing flood risk in Baton Rouge has been a chief focus of mine since taking office in 2017,” said Mayor Broome. “Citizens deserve relief, and a Stormwater Master Plan is essential to delivering results.”

On Wednesday, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council will be asked to approve the Master Plan contract with consulting group HNTB. The company will evaluate existing drainage infrastructure throughout the City-Parish and recommend needed enhancements.

The Stormwater Master Plan will also focus on projected growth, planning for future development. Finally, it will analyze the effects of more intense rainfalls, caused by a rise in water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, on the City-Parish drainage system.

FEMA first approved the $11.25 million in funding for the Master Plan in May 2019. The Louisiana Office of Community Development has committed to the remaining $3.75 million once HUD approves its action plan.

Once initiated, the Stormwater Master Plan is expected to take up to three years to complete. A Master Plan of this nature is common among cities that are serious about reducing flood risk.

Other hazard mitigation projects set for Metro Council approval include:

• $1,176,800 under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 4277-56: Dawson Creek at Hundred Oaks & Broussard Bridges Phase 1.
• $303,800 under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 4277-54: Ward Creek at Siegen Lane Channel Improvements Phase 1.
• $303,800 under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 4277-54: Ward Creek at Siegen Lane Channel Improvements Phase 1.
• $560,626 under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program 4277-75: Greenwood Community Park Safe Room Phase 1.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development has also committed funding for these projects once HUD approves its action plan.

“The Stormwater Master Plan and the additional hazard mitigation projects are yet another example of my administration’s efforts to reduce flooding throughout the City-Parish,” said Mayor Broome.

In August, Mayor-President Broome announced, in a joint statement, the $255 million East Baton Rouge Flood Risk Reduction Project which will clean, snag and enhance 66 miles of drainage ways in five major tributaries throughout the City-Parish. Work is also underway on the $343 million Comite River Diversion Canal, which will reduce flooding in the Comite and lower Amite River Basins.