ORLO VISTA, Fla. — It’s been a rainy few weeks across Central Florida, and now we’re getting an update on a long-term flood mitigation project in the Orlo Vista area.

What You Need To Know

  • Orange County leaders say the Orlo Vista flood mitigation project is 95 percent complete
  • That area of Orange County flooded significantly during hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022

  • So far, three ponds have been made deeper by 12 feet. Work has also been done to connect pipes between the ponds, so the overall system works together

That part of Orange County flooded significantly during hurricanes Ian and Nicole in 2022.

Residents are looking forward to the completion of this project to help prevent flooding in their yards and homes.

County leaders say this is about 95% complete, but things won’t wrap up until next spring.

Liliana Ramirez, project manager for the Orlo Vista flood mitigation project, says the three ponds have been made deeper by 12 feet. 

Work has been done to connect pipes between the ponds, so the overall system works together. 

“The idea is when a hurricane is coming, we are pumping down the ponds and we have all the new storage that we have created with excavation available. So that way we’re going to keep the rain in these ponds,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez says the goal over the next few months is working on the electrical building. 

Supply chain issues are delaying that end of the project, but Ramirez ensures that is temporary. 

“We are working every day on the project and doing progress every month,” Ramirez said. 

That progress is something one Orange County commissioner is happy to see. 

“I hope when this is all done, they’ll be happy with the finished product, but more importantly it will meet the needs,” Mike Scott, Orange County district 6 commissioner, said. 

But no one is as excited as Orlo Vista resident Ken Smith.

“We’re thrilled to know there’s a plan to have it completed,” Smith said.