Sumter, South Carolina - The Miller to Morgan Avenue Stormwater Improvements project in the City of Sumter reached substantial completion in April 2025 and the project is now in its closeout phase. This effort addresses regular flooding in the City of Sumter between Jackson Street, Broad Street, Miller Road, and Morgan Avenue.

To mitigate this flood hazard, the project included the design, permitting, and construction of a new stormwater conveyance system to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding. As part of this improvement project, approximately 2,700 linear feet of existing underground stormwater infrastructure has been removed and replaced to reduce flooding in the area.

“Flooding has been a persistent challenge for residents and businesses in this area of Sumter, and I am proud to see meaningful progress being made to reduce that issue,” states G. Murrell Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives of South Carolina. “This project is a strong example of how collaboration between state and local partners can result in lasting infrastructure improvements that enhance quality of life and protect property.”

(Pictured Left) The project area, identified in the red outline, spans from Miller Road to Morgan Avenue. (Pictured Right) An example of local flooding before construction provided by the City of Sumter.

When applying for funding from the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), the City of Sumter reported five instances of notable flooding in the project area between 2015 and 2020. Flood damage resulting from these events included: 80 residential properties, two churches, one industrial facility, and two commercial properties.

“These drainage lines were over 50 years old, and in many areas, they were caving in or on the verge of collapse,” says Mayor David Merchant. “It’s been incredibly difficult to even access and shore them up over the years. This project was about more than reducing flooding—it was about eliminating serious safety concerns for families whose backyards or businesses were at risk from failing infrastructure. We’re especially proud that this was the first grant we’ve ever received through the South Carolina Office of Resilience. Without this funding, a fix wouldn’t have been possible. This is a big step forward for Sumter.” 

S.C. Chief Resilience Officer Ben Duncan elaborates, “In line with our mission to lessen the impacts of disasters on the communities and citizens of South Carolina, SCOR is proud that the project will reduce road closures and property damage for both residents and businesses in Sumter. This not only reduces safety risks for residents who previously experienced flooding, but also minimizes interruptions to emergency services during severe rainfall events.”

Multiple types of newly installed drainage infrastructure address the restricted flow path between the project area and Shot Pouch Branch, allowing stormwater to quickly flow out of residential and commercial areas.

The project’s design, permitting, and construction were funded by a $3,131,700 award allocated from SCOR’s U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) program. Additionally, the City of Sumter committed a $250,000 local cost share.

“This project is a win for the people of Sumter,” explains Senator Jeff Zell, S.C. Senate District 36. “Replacing over 2,700 feet of outdated stormwater infrastructure means fewer families worrying about flooded yards and damaged property every time it rains. It’s about safety, stability, and giving folks the confidence to invest in their homes and community. I’m proud to see real progress being made, especially in areas that need it most.”

"It is exciting to see this partnership between the State and Sumter come to fruition," says Representative J. David Weeks, S.C. House District 51. "Reducing this area's flooding risk enhances the community's resilience to future hazard events, which makes partnerships like this important to continue."

To date, SCOR has committed over $99 million in CDBG-MIT funds to public infrastructure projects to reduce flood risks. These projects can range from storm sewer installations and upgrades to retention ponds, waterway and wetland restoration.  

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About SCOR: The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is committed to enhancing the state's ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. In addition to serving 3,459 homes in our Disaster Recovery Program, SCOR has 81 active flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts, stormwater infrastructure, and plans and studies, across the State. SCOR continues to implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan, which provides a framework to guide investment in projects, programs, and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events.