FENWICK ISLAND, Del. - Just one storm can turn the streets near Bayside in Fenwick Island from bone dry to completely underwater — a frustrating reality for residents like Jeff Derr.
“When we come out to get in our cars, you got to wear boots,” Derr said. “It’s usually about eight inches of water around the house. Just on normal high tides and storm situations. So you’ve got to wear boots, get in the car, drive up the street and take them off.”
Town officials are searching for answers. On Wednesday, Fenwick Island’s Infrastructure Committee met to discuss possible solutions to the flooding issues. But officials say one major funding source they were counting on is no longer available.
Council member Susan Brennan said the town had been expecting support through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. But Brennan said the program was ended during the Trump administration, leaving Fenwick Island without the crucial funds.
Now, the town is left scrambling to find new ways to tackle the problem.
“[We’re] hoping sometime that maybe bulkheads can be raised and taken care of with that,” Derr said, referencing one potential improvement.
The Infrastructure Committee plans to meet with the full Fenwick Island Town Council to explore additional funding options and determine which projects would have the biggest impact on reducing flooding. The council is scheduled to discuss those possibilities during a council meeting on April 25.