CRISFIELD, Md. -- City officials have been developing a plan to prevent flooding at the source, rather than control it once it happens. If approved, the project will be completed in two phases.
Chesapeake Avenue will be used as a center line. The first phase will cover the South end of Crisfield, which is where the dock is. The second phase will address the North end of the city.
For years, Crisfield and those who work or live there have dealt with constant flooding. It is why Timothy Howlett, who lives in Crisfield, is excited the city is trying to fight flooding before it even happens.
"It's gonna help the town tremendously, this is a huge project that I've not seen before, I've been here a very long time," said Howlett.
Howlett added the less Crisfield floods, more people, businesses and investors could want to move and stay there.
The city still needs to apply for grants through FEMA and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and have them approved. Darlene Taylor, Crisfields Mayor, said they will apply for the first grant at the start of 2024.
While the city's work with FEMA over the last year does have officials optimistic about their chances, Hailey Stern with FEMA said it is possible the grants don't get approved.
"It is competitive though, so this is not guaranteed," said Stern.
If Crisfield is approved, then neighbors can expect to see roads being raised. Two of the major roads will be Somerset Avenue and Hall Highway. The project would also entail new tide gates, berms and concrete caps on bulkheads.
Overall, the project is expected to cost an estimated $63 million.
"All of these will work in conjunction to address flooding in the city and allow water to flow in and out during different kinds of rain events," said Stern.
If all goes well, Crisfield could experience a transformation unlike anything the city has seen or attempted to do.
"They're doing something that I was told could not be done, when I came in here they said you will never stop the water from coming in, all you can do is get it out quickly, but now we've met coastal engineers who say yes, up to five feet we can prevent that water from coming in," said Taylor.
There is still a ways to go in the design process, but if Crisfield is approved for the grants, construction on what is expected to be a multi-year project would begin in 2026.