The Amenity Authority Committee heard a detailed presentation from District staff on Wednesday regarding recommendations to minimize flooding in the area around Lake Paradise.
A number of homes on the Historic Side of The Villages suffered flooding this past September after Hurricane Irma. Power was lost at two pumping stations which move water out of the lake when heavy rain occurs.
When the system works properly, water is pumped out of Lake Paradise across U.S. Hwy. 27/441 into a holding pond. It is then is moved to Lake Mira Mar and to Golf View Lake. When the power failed after Hurricane Irma, water increased in Lake Paradise encroaching on several homes and covering some streets.
District Property Management is requesting the addition of two stationary generators at a cost of $200,000 each. A FEMA grant could be sought, but commissioners were warned that this could take up to two years with no guarantee that it would be approved.
District Manager Janet Tutt told the ACC that no one could guarantee that the system would move enough water to prevent flooding if The Villages sees another 150-year rain event, but that the system would lessen flooding.
”We must protect our people and their property,” AAC member Ann Forrester said
All of the commissioners expressed similar sentiments.
