Water Sector News

Hurricane Florence could provide a difficult test for how Raleigh manages flooding.

As urban development increases in Raleigh, concrete and asphalt prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground and directs it towards streams and creeks instead. This rainwater also washes items such as soapy water, leaves and litter into drains and ditches, which lead to local streams and creeks. This increases the chance that local waterways will flood, and causes greater pollution and erosion in streams.

“We can only manage flooding, we can’t prevent it. What we try to do is understand where it can happen, and how often,” said Wayne Miles, stormwater program manager for the City of Raleigh.