Bamberg County Awarded Stormwater Grant to Address Flooding Issues

Posted by 03/18/2025 Categories: affordable connectivity program Bamberg County Airport Bamberg County Emergency Services bamberg south carolina city of bamberg south carolina community community service government litter pickup local government reduce reuse recycle September 11 South Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To: News Media

From: Bamberg County Administration

Date: January 10, 2025

Re: Bamberg County Awarded Stormwater Grant to Address Flooding Issues

Bamberg, South Carolina (January 2025) –The Bamberg County Council and Administration are happy to announce they have been awarded an $856,000 grant from the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (SCIRA). The grant funds will be used to construct stormwater improvements in heavy flood zones. Improvements will occur in the city of Bamberg, which is the County Seat, and near Bamberg County Administration buildings such as the Courthouse, Courthouse Annex, Sheriff’s Office, and Emergency Services Department.

In 2024, Bamberg County endured multiple major weather events, including Tropical Storms Debby and Helene, which produced severe flooding that made Highway U.S. 301 and nearby roads impassable. As a result, County residents’ access to important public services was significantly diminished. The impacted area falls in the Bamberg Historic District and is within half a mile of two schools; thus, the proposed improvements are even more critical to avoid water damage to historic structures and maintain access to the area. Furthermore, emergency improvements are needed to avoid additional financial impacts from flooding and ensure access to critical County services and local schools. To avoid future flood events, the County will use the emergency SC RIA State Grant funds to construct enhancements to the existing stormwater system, with a focus on additional inlets and pipe capacity.

Specifically, the proposed improvements will address the ongoing flooding issues by adding stormwater structures and creating capacity to better manage stormwater flow. The existing infrastructure includes approximately 14 inlets and 1,051 feet of stormwater pipe. The proposed enhancements will create an additional 1,960 feet of stormwater infrastructure and 11 inlets, targeting the flood-prone areas near US 301 (Main Highway) and 2nd Street, and will primarily include the addition of a 24-inch pipe. Construction is expected to begin in the Fall of 2025 and should take approximately nine months to complete.

County Council Chairwoman Sharon Hammond stated, “We are grateful to the SCRIA for awarding Bamberg County this grant so we may be better prepared in the future to mitigate the damage caused by flooding.”

“This grant is a big deal for Bamberg County and will enhance our infrastructure and help us be better equipped to weather future storms,” said County Administrator Joey Preston. “As a small, rural county, we rely on state and federal grants to provide our citizens with the essential services and infrastructure others may take for granted.”

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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov