The Sumter County Board of County Commissioners is partnering with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to conduct a Flood Mitigation Assessment on County Road 519A to address and resolve flooding issues in Coleman. In 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused stormwater to flood sections of CR 519A and four nearby residential properties. The formal partnership was initiated in response to service requests received by Sumter County’s Public Works Department following recent weather-related events. The assessment process, which started in December 2025 and is expected to finish in May, ultimately aims to improve the safety and living conditions for people who live off County Road 519A and travel on the roadway.
The County Road 519A Flood Mitigation Assessment will include a thorough drainage assessment of the Little Jones Creek/Wildwood watershed and a geotechnical engineering study to evaluate stormwater design alternatives that will help alleviate flooding in the area. Potential flood mitigation options under team review include, but are not limited to, the construction of stormwater retention basins and a stormwater pump station, which would help remove excess water before it becomes a safety hazard. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. will prepare a cost-benefit analysis for each stormwater design alternative and present recommendations to the Sumter County Board of County Commissioners at an upcoming meeting.
“This assessment is a key initiative in proactively addressing flooding concerns within the community. By taking a comprehensive approach to evaluating existing conditions, we can clearly define the challenges and identify implementable solutions. These efforts are essential to safeguarding homes, maintaining critical roadway access, and minimizing future flood risk,” said Chris Morrison, Sumter County’s floodplain manager.
In November 2024, County Road 519A underwent a water pumping operation in response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Emergency Declaration and Emergency Order No. SWF 24-030 issued by the Southwest Florida Water Management District. As a result of that event, nearly 1.9 million gallons of water were pumped from County Road 519A to a retention pond on Industrial Parkway to mitigate roadway and infrastructure impacts. Outside of the major 2024 weather events, the roadway experienced periods of flooding in 2008, 2017, and 2025.
Visit Floodplain Management | Sumter County, FL – Official Website to learn more.