FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The historic flooding happened in 2023, but families in the Edgewood neighborhood remember the rain and devastation like it was yesterday.

Some continue to feel the effects.

On April 12, 2023, an unprecedented 26 inches of rain fell in just five hours, causing widespread damage. One woman down the street said her home is still under construction from the water damage.

The City of Fort Lauderdale has since launched a massive stormwater improvement project dubbed Fortify Fort Lauderdale. Crews have installed thousands of feet of pipes underground in vulnerable communities.

The city invested about $14.5 million in the Edgewood neighborhood alone to reduce flooding and improve drainage. A neighbor showed a new storm drain placed in his front yard.

On Southwest 32nd Street, many families have recovered, but they still get nervous every time it rains hard.

“I know my grandmother gets very, very on edge about it,” said Matt Anderson. “I’m a little bit more relaxed. I have generators, pumps for the water. I’m prepared for it in case it happens again.”

“Yes, that was horrific,” said Sharon Dolan. “When it rains, that was the first and only time I’ve gotten PTSD.”

“I think there needs to be a lot more work with drainage, a lot more work,” Dolan added.

In total, Fortify Fort Lauderdale has targeted more than 25 neighborhoods, costing around $1.6 billion.

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