LAKE COUNTY — It’s never too early to begin preparing for hurricane season, and Lake County has taken that sentiment seriously by acquiring six new, federally funded stormwater pumps to enhance its flood response capabilities.
After Hurricane Milton dropped more than a foot of rain on parts of the county in 2024, the County’s Public Works Department recognized the need for updated equipment to help move water from flooded areas. Utilizing approximately $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds, the County replaced its aging pumps.
“These new pumps will provide us a reliable way to address flooding that threatens critical infrastructure and essential property throughout Lake County,” said Jordan Salinger, Operations Director of Lake County’s Public Works Department. “Our older pumps had outlived their expected service lives, and these replacements are a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to protect the public and public assets better when responding to impacts of extreme weather events.”
“Flooding poses a risk to many areas of Lake County,” said Megan Milanese, the County’s Emergency Management Director. “The pumps enhance our ability to deploy efficient, reliable tools to help residents whenever bad weather strikes.”
The new pumps are trailer-mounted and staged for deployment. They are capable of moving water several thousand feet, and four of them can empty a standard-sized residential pool in about seven minutes.
Lake County offers small-town character combined with the amenities of a major metropolitan city. It is centrally located in Florida and home to more than 420,000 people. The County has a total area of 1,157 square miles and features more than 1,000 lakes and rivers. To learn more, visit www.lakecountyfl.gov.
