Charleston leaders discuss new plan to fight flooding

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - City of Charleston officials held a workshop Tuesday to lay out flood prevention strategies, focusing on a new water plan designed to address the city’s rising water levels.

Mayor William Cogswell emphasized the initiative is a collaborative effort, bringing together water experts and Charleston’s local team to protect the city from flooding.

The water plan outlines strategies to tackle sea level rise, storm surges and heavy rainfall. These strategies will help shape critical policy decisions, including zoning and stormwater manuals.

This is the city’s first comprehensive flood risk management document for the entire city.

The plan compiles data and research aiming to help the city manage flooding.

It’s all about living with water. This is something that is a part of living in the low country. The more people that are educated by where the water goes in their backyard or out in the streets in front of them the more informed, they will be when there’s an issue,” Cogswell said.

Some of the suggestions include tailoring policies and design solutions to each community, as well as improving sewer infrastructure and building a shared language around water.

Experts say solutions should be community-directed and led which is why educating and collaborating with the community is a huge part of the plan.

President and CEO of the Preservation Society of Charleston emphasized how preservation and conservation go hand and hand.

“We’ve of course built a lot of the city on fill on artificial land, so we really need to address those critical priorities first, but it’s doing that at the same time engaging people around these issues.”

Cogswell also introduced the Basin Flood Action Program, which will divide the city into different areas to address specific flooding issues immediately.

“We know a lot about where it floods in Charleston and having a plan of attack to address those right now versus waiting, I think is critical,” Cogswell said.

He also said the Battery extension project will safeguard Charleston in the years to come.

“We know a lot about where it floods in Charleston and having a plan of attack to address those right now versus waiting, I think is critical,” Cogswell said.

Cogswell says next the city will have their after-action meeting where they will discuss areas for improvement and response times during Tropical Storm Debby.

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