White House seeks FEMA watershed study after summer floods; city details projects, enforcement and pond expansion

The White House stormwater advisory board on Sept. 9 reviewed repeated neighborhood flooding after heavy summer storms and outlined current and planned work while announcing the city has applied for a FEMA watershed study that officials say would update floodplain mapping and guide mitigation.

"It's coming through my yard and flooding our garage," said Carl Menes, a resident during the public-comment period, describing runoff that has repeatedly inundated properties in his neighborhood. Stormwater staff told residents the city is prioritizing homes where water reached living quarters and that Menes’s location is on a list for follow-up inspections and potential road or curb work.

Stormwater division staff said the city has submitted a pre-application and is preparing a full FEMA grant application for a comprehensive watershed study. "We're applying for a grant to FEMA to study the entire city's watershed," an unnamed stormwater staff member said during the presentation. Staff gave a total project cost in the presentation of $303,500 and said the city’s share would be $37,937.50 if the grant is…