Deltona hopes to secure funding to raise Elkcam Boulevard to end flooding

DELTONA, Florida. – A major road project could be coming to Deltona to hopefully prevent flooding in the future. City leaders told News 6 they are considering elevating about a mile and a half of Elkcam Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in the city, between Van Orman Drive and Howland Boulevard.

The stretch of road has two lakes on the north and south side, making it prone to flooding, especially during a storm like Hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022. Elkcam and nearby residential neighborhoods were filled with water and closed to all. drivers, including first responders.

The city is looking to raise that stretch of Elkcam by at least 2 feet and is awaiting final approval from the governor for a grant to get the ball rolling.

People who live in Deltona, near that area, told News 6 it was relieving to hear.

“It makes a big difference to that. It’s just horrible when we deal with flooding,” Tracie Giordano said.

Giordano has had to deal with excess water during several big storms.

“You’re stuck in the floods and in your houses, and there’s a whole bunch of boats coming through and coming to get you,” she said.

The grant will amount to approximately $400,000 and will help launch this project.

“This will be used for planning and development of the area and for conducting the study,” said City Commissioner Dana McCool.

McCool said the entire project will take a few years to complete.

“What it will do is build a culvert system that will push the water out, elevate it, so the water can pass underneath with an even distribution of water,” she said .

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