For years, heavy rain has meant flooded streets and homes in Daytona Beach’s Midtown neighborhood. In May 2026, the community finally got the results of a two-year U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study, and the answer was not the one people were hoping for.
Why Midtown floods
The Observer reported that Midtown, roughly bounded by Orange Avenue, Beville Road, Nova Road and Ridgewood Avenue, sits low and flat, with little green space to soak up rain. Water drains slowly toward the Halifax River through the Nova and Navy canals, which are undersized, and during high tide the river can push water right back into the streets.
What the study found
The Army Corps presented its findings to the Daytona Beach City Commission at its May 6 meeting. The best option it found would send excess stormwater to a golf course using sluice gates, store it there like a retention pond, and pump it out. The estimated cost is about $200 million, and federal funding for it is considered unlikely. According to ClickOrlando, the Corps also pointed to federal buyouts of about 40 of the most flood-prone homes as the most cost-effective step, while acknowledging that would leave hundreds of other properties without relief.
Mayor Derrick Henry did not hide his disappointment. “If I said I was anything less than heartbroken, I’d be lying,” he said, according to the Observer.
What happens next
The Corps may take on a larger $1.2 million study, with results expected in summer 2027. In the meantime, the city is working with Volusia County on a citywide stormwater management plan, and city officials told ClickOrlando that smaller-scale and maintenance projects could help ease flooding. County crews also restored a retention pond on Big Tree Road in Daytona Beach in May 2026 to add stormwater capacity.
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Questions and answers
Is there a plan to fix Midtown flooding?
Not a complete one yet. The Army Corps’ best option would cost about $200 million and is unlikely to get federal funding. A larger study may report back in summer 2027.
Why does high tide make Midtown flooding worse?
Midtown drains toward the Halifax River. When the river is high, water drains out slowly or gets pushed back into the streets.
What is the city doing in the meantime?
Working with Volusia County on a citywide stormwater plan, plus smaller-scale maintenance projects.
This article is general information drawn from the sources listed below. It is not professional, legal, insurance or restoration advice. DIY-DRY is an equipment rental company.
Sources
- The Observer, “Daytona Beach’s Midtown flooding has no easy solution,” May 19, 2026 – observerlocalnews.com
- ClickOrlando (WKMG News 6), “Daytona Beach Midtown flooding study yields no affordable fix ahead of another hurricane season,” May 7, 2026 – clickorlando.com
- Spectrum News 13, “Study: No affordable fix for Daytona Beach Midtown flooding,” May 8, 2026 – mynews13.com
- Volusia County, Flooding and Stormwater Management – volusia.org