Baton Rouge still has a stormwater problem, but Metro Councilwoman Laurie White Adams says the issue goes far beyond asphalt and parking lots.
White Adams joined Talk 107.3 to discuss ongoing flash flooding concerns in East Baton Rouge Parish after recent commentary questioned whether too much pavement is making drainage worse. She said impermeable surfaces do play a role, but they are only one piece of a much larger problem.
According to White Adams, the parish continues to work through recommendations from the Stormwater Master Plan. That plan gave the city-parish a long-term road map, but it also came with a price tag of roughly $1.5 billion. She said that number has only grown, and Baton Rouge does not have that kind of money sitting around.
Still, she said work continues. The parish has adopted changes to the Unified Development Code, including a conveyance check for new projects. That means engineers must show that new development will not push water onto neighboring property.
White Adams said the city-parish also continues to seek federal grants for drainage projects. She said officials often have about $100 million in grant applications pending.
She also pointed to snagging and clearing work as a major part of the solution. Crews have removed large amounts of debris from drainage channels, which has helped the system perform better during heavy rain.
But she warned that residents also play a role. Trash, grass clippings, leaves and large dumped items can block drainage systems over time. She said small items can create major problems after years of buildup.
White Adams said Baton Rouge must keep cleaning, improving capacity and building smarter. Flooding may never disappear, but steady work can reduce the risk.