Beyond Hurricane Ian: Arcadia's Recovery Story
City of Arcadia
Introduction
This Recovery Story describes the impacts of Hurricane Ian, a major hurricane that had a direct and lasting impact on the City of Arcadia in September 2022. This website provides an overview of those efforts, both immediately following the storm and long-range to rebuild a more resilient and better prepared community. It also summarizes and outlines the recommendations for the City of Arcadia Long-Term Recovery Plan, the product of a joint planning effort completed in early 2024.
As community members know, this powerful storm had a profound impact on the city. The storm’s destructive forces disrupted lives, infrastructure, and local services. The community rallied together, demonstrating resilience and determination to support each other. To continue that spirit, Arcadia will remain committed to a community-driven and informed approach, fostering unity and progress as they move toward a resilient future.
Purpose
The purpose of this Recovery Story is to provide a better understanding of ongoing and future recovery efforts. This is done to help ensure a coordinated, holistic, and community-informed approach to reaching long-term recovery goals, gaps and needs.
This story illustrates the following:
- Hurricane Ian and the impacts to Arcadia
- Resilience and why its important to build back stronger.
- An overview of Arcadia
- Immediate recovery and response since Hurricane Ian
- Projects that will help the areas recover from Ian and be better prepared for future weather events.
Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage and flooding in Arcadia. Below are some local news stories about the storm.
Resilience
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines resilience as the capacity of individuals, communities, businesses, institutions, and governments to adapt to changing conditions and to prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from disruptions to everyday life, such as hazardous events. Understanding resilience in the context of disasters is crucial for effective disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. By comprehending the factors that contribute to resilience, such as community cohesion, infrastructure robustness and a community’s economic strength, authorities can better anticipate, mitigate, and respond to the impacts of disasters. These unique factors that define a community are the key to funding response efforts and recovery projects.
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The tour below walks through some of the immediate recovery project in the area.
Arcadia Golf Course
Arcadia Golf Course. Click to expand.
The Arcadia Municipal Golf Course is a city owned facility and is listed on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. Several structures on the site were either damaged or destroyed. The clubhouse had a damaged roof, walls, windows drywall and flooring. Several outbuildings used for storage etc. were destroyed and have been replaced.
Police Department Annex Building
Police Department Annex Building. Click to expand.
The Arcadia Police Department annex building sustained significant damage due to hurricane Ian. Renovations to the building were recently completed and the department has begun occupying it again. The city has been awarded grant money for hardening doors and windows of the building with another grant for placement of an emergency generator is in process.
Speer Center
Speer Center. Click to expand.
The Speer Center is a historic building originally built as a National Guard Armory. When a replacement armory facility was built, the old facility was deeded to the city and was used as a recreation center and was named after a former city mayor. That building sustained major roof damage during Hurricane Ian and it was also replaced shortly after the storm. All hurricane related repairs have been completed at this facility.
McSwain Park Splash Pad
McSwain Park Splash Pad. Click to expand.
The park sustained Hurricane Ian damage to the Splash Pad operating system that had to be completely rebuilt. Due to back ordered parts and materials, that work was not completed until February 2024. The historic park building had significant roof damage and it was completely replaced shortly after the storm. All hurricane related repairs at McSwain park are now completed.
Johnson Avenue Culvert
Johnson Avenue Culvert. Click to expand.
This culvert location is on the last north/south road on the far west side of the city where the roadway crosses a very deep drainage ditch. While the culvert had some deterioration due to age it was still functional and usable without concern of failure. Rapidly flowing rainwater draining from Hurricane Ian undermined the structure and caused its failure. Replacement cost was more than initially expected but it was rebuilt and is functional once again.
Community Partners Engaged and Projects:
- Airport sewer connection
- Connecting County Road
- Grant Writing (ex. Water Quality Improvement Grant)
- Smoke Testing
- Updates to the City’s Utility GIS maps
- Downtown Main Street Development
- Water Re-use and Wetlands Stormwater Ponds
- Stormwater Ditches to Reduce Flooding
- Existing Park Re-Design
- Solar Options for City Infrastructure
- City Trails and Park Connectivity
Projects
To address the gaps and challenges left by Hurricane Ian, Arcadia is committed to employing a whole community approach to clearly define and tailor its recovery projects to meet the unique needs of the community. The interactive map below outlines the City's 10 highest-priority projects for recovery, in priority order.
Wastewater Treatment Plan Rebuild
Wastewater Treatment Plan Rebuild. Click to expand.
Rebuild and upgrade the City's wastewater treatment plant to meet modern standards. This includes meeting standards that are set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, identifying other regulatory requirements, engaging with different organizations and partners, working with engineers to design a new facility and qualified individuals that can oversee the construction of this new facility.
McSwain Park Renovation
McSwain Park Renovation. Click to expand.
Develop a plan to revitalize and enhance McSwain Park.
Road Reconstruction
Road Reconstruction. Click to expand.
Roads with utilities beneath them will need to be completely repaved. Base, subbase, and utilities need to be replaced under many of the roads. Different materials were used throughout the City. This requires roads to be reconstructed.
Stormwater Management Improvements
Stormwater Management Improvements. Click to expand.
This project will upgrade the stormwater drainage system to mitigate flooding and reduce the risk of property damage during hurricanes and heavy rainfall events. This project will involve the assessment and improvement of the City's stormwater infrastructure. It may include the construction of retention ponds, culvert upgrades, and the implementation of green infrastructure solutions to manage stormwater runoff efficiently. By enhancing the stormwater management system, the project aims to prevent future flood-related damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Short-Term - Current Facility
Wastewater Treatment Plant Short-Term - Current Facility. Click to expand.
This project will improve the current wastewater treatment plant by reducing the infiltration and inflow levels and updating the trickling filter system.
Wetlands Restoration and Revitalization
Wetlands Restoration and Revitalization. Click to expand.
Restore wetlands and develop recreational areas for community benefit. The wastewater treatment facility is under a Consent Order from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) due to an exceedance of the Nitrogen, Kjeldahl, Total (as N) limit as well as the ammonia, unionized (as NH3) limit. Engineers conducted a feasibility assessment in fall 2023. The assessment proposed three alternatives for the City to bring the ponds into compliance with the Consent Order in the short-term, as well as maximizing their benefits to the City and its residents for long-term use.
Emergency Power Generators for Critical Facilities
Emergency Power Generators for Critical Facilities. Click to expand.
This project provides power generators for utilities and public workers. Example facilities to be equipped with generators include sewers, private lift stations, and well pumps.
Arcadia Municipal Airport Water and Sewer Utilities Connection
Arcadia Municipal Airport Water and Sewer Utilities Connection. Click to expand.
Expand the water and sewer infrastructure to the airport, enhancing its operational efficiency and providing essential amenities to support the needs of passengers, businesses, and employees, ensuring a seamless and convenient experience for all airport users.
Community Security Surveillance
Community Security Surveillance. Click to expand.
Install a network of cameras/security system throughout the community for law enforcement, enhancing crime prevention and investigation capabilities.
Cemetery Revitalization and Sanitation
Cemetery Revitalization and Sanitation. Click to expand.
Gravity drainage solution to alleviate excess water in Memorial Gardens (as well as Unit #6). The plan is to conduct site visits, survey the cemetery and design a cemetery infill expansion plot plan.
