Elected officials announced that as as much as $30 million in federal funding has been secured to rebuild Delaware beaches in an effort to to protect homes, businesses and roads from future storm damage.
“Because we are a low-lying state, extreme storms pose a real threat to us,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “Citizens, businesses and infrastructure are affected when an area floods. My thanks goes to our Congressional delegation for securing the funding that’s allowing us to restore damaged beaches and dunes and shore up our vulnerable areas so we can mitigate the potential impact of future storms.”
The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) received funding through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 to restore Delaware beaches to pre-Sandy conditions. Nearly two million cubic yards of sand will be pumped back onto Delaware beaches.
The corps also received the funding through Flood Control & Coastal Emergencies to restore Delaware beaches to their design templates. It means the beach just north of the Indian River Inlet will be restored with a full beach and dune that can be maintained through a sand bypass system.
“Yesterday was the six-month anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and while Delaware did not have the severe damage that our neighbors to the north experienced, Delaware did see widespread flooding that caused damage to many of our homes and businesses,” U.S. Sen. Tom Carper said. “Roads and bridges were damaged or washed out, hurting commerce and transportation and cutting off access to hospitals, schools and work. I am so pleased that we are not only going to repair our beaches, but that the corps is going to construct a truly protective beach and dune. It’s a smart investment to reduce potential losses and protect lives, homes, businesses and infrastructure.”
