ST. THOMAS, USVI - On August 26, 2006, the U.S.Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Public Works applied for a Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant, as authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended (NFIA), 42 U.S.C. 4104c. The proposed project was intended to increase the intake capacity of the existing box culvert inlet as a mitigation measure to substantially minimize repetitive flooding of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church facility and improve stormwater management in the area.
“For quite some time, water flowed down the road at the sidewalk level, and came straight into the church and adjacent housing community and offices; it was major flooding every time it rained," said St Andrews Church Rector Lenroy K. Cabey.
The church is situated perpendicular to Sixth Street, which, during events of heavy rainfall, received high speed stormwater runoff that flowed down the street. On several occasions, the high speed storm-water runoff overloaded the existing stormwater drainage system and flooded the church, adjacent facilities, and residences in the area.
St. Andrews Episcopal Church also serves as a temporary shelter and local point of commodity distribution during emergency response and recovery operations.
The flood mitigation measures included construction of a trough drain across Sixth Street to slow down the high speed stormwater runoff, and divert it into an existing box culvert that runs parallel to the church along First Avenue. A series of large curb inlets were installed in the sidewalk curb, along First Avenue and adjacent to the church. Several 4-foot x 4-foot storm water drainage grates were also installed on First Avenue. The total cost of the project was $115,900, of which FEMA provided $80,400 and the Territory $35,500. The project was completed on October 11, 2009.
Parishioners and residents in the area were relieved from the constant flooding when FEMA funded the St. Andrews Flood Mitigation Project. “I have been here the last six years and it has been a miracle for me. Even after the nonstop rain caused by Hurricane Otto, we were prepared by putting sandbags and boards in the doors and main entrance, and nothing happened. There was no overflow in roads, no leaks, no flooding; it has been good. The guttering has also been good because the water underneath the church has been diverted. Overall, it has been a blessing," added Rector Cabey.