In St. Augustine, flooding doesn’t only come with storms. High tides can push water up through storm drains on perfectly sunny days. In April 2026, the city gave an update on three projects meant to push back.
The three projects
- Avenida Menendez Seawall Rehabilitation: Near the Municipal Marina, the seawall is being raised and rehabilitated with a design similar to the 2013 parapet, and two tide check valves are being installed. Completion is expected by October 31, 2026.
- Inlet Drive Shoreline Resiliency: In the North Davis Shores neighborhood, a retaining wall, stormwater upgrades and a tide check valve to stop tidal backflow. Completion was set for June 30, 2026.
- Court Theophelia Stormwater Upgrades: Green infrastructure including a bioretention planter, utility replacement, road rebuilding and a new Bannan Avenue sidewalk to Fullerwood Park. Completion was set for June 30, 2026.
The Court Theophelia and Inlet Drive work is funded through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida grant program. The seawall project is funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Florida Inland Navigation District.
What a tide check valve does
Storm drain pipes in low areas empty into the river. At high tide, the river can flow backward up those pipes and bubble out of the drains into the street. A tide check valve is a one-way flap on the end of the pipe: rainwater can flow out, but tidal water can’t come back in. It’s a simple fix for the so-called sunny-day flooding that St. Augustine sees during king tides.
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Questions and answers
When will the Avenida Menendez seawall be finished?
The city expects completion by October 31, 2026, weather permitting.
What is sunny-day flooding?
Flooding with no rain, when very high tides push water up through storm drains into low streets.
Who do I contact about St. Augustine stormwater problems?
The city lists its Public Works Department at 904-825-1040 or stormwater@citystaug.com.
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
- City of St. Augustine, “City of St. Augustine advances resiliency and infrastructure improvement projects,” Apr. 7, 2026 – citystaug.com
- City of St. Augustine, Avenida Menendez Seawall – citystaug.com