Dade County reports emergency culvert repairs at Wildwood after cloudburst; estimated cost about $50,000

Dade County commissioners placed an emergency repair to a box culvert in Wildwood on the consent agenda after staff described a cloudburst that flooded the renovated Wildwood Fire Department and blocked a downstream culvert.

County officials said heavy, localized rain dumped an estimated three to four inches in about 45 minutes during a Sunday cloudburst; the resulting surge carried debris — including pieces of man‑made material — that severely damaged and blocked a long run of culvert and tile downstream of the Wildwood Community Center.

“It poured … I’m sure they had at least 3 to 4 inches of rain in just a matter of probably 45 minutes,” the chair said during the meeting. Staff described the culvert run as an old box culvert with a difficult alignment and said county crews and equipment cleared and replaced pipe, removed debris and restored the right‑of‑way as much as possible on private easements. State DOT personnel inspected the site and indicated they had the issue on their radar, staff said, but county crews proceeded immediately because of the risk of repeated flooding.

Staff reported preliminary line‑item costs: tiles/pipe material approaching $34,000 plus contract work of $10,130.88; labor and other costs remain being tabulated. “It did equal right at about $50,000, I’m sure. It’s probably gonna be a little less than 50,” staff said, while noting some figures were not finalized. The county recommended using capital outlay funds (SPLOST) to cover the expense.

Commissioners noted the repair included removal of trees and excavation on private access and that crews attempted to restore property as found; property owners had expressed satisfaction with the county’s cleanup, staff said. The work also involved mutual aid and shared equipment with a neighboring county for heavy excavation and lifting, county staff added.

Officials said the repair prevented further flooding and a near miss of interior flooding at the community center and nearby post office. County staff confirmed the work was done as an emergency repair and will be included in the minutes and consent agenda for ratification.

No formal vote beyond consent‑agenda approval was described in the discussion; staff said the county has authority to undertake emergency repairs to prevent more extensive damage.

Staff and commissioners asked that the repair be recorded in the minutes for audit and follow‑up; they also said they would seek any state DOT assistance or reimbursement if the state elects to share costs for the portion on state right‑of‑way.

Commissioners added the emergency culvert repair to the consent agenda and approved the consent package by unanimous vote in the regular meeting.