Resiliency refers to our County’s ability to withstand, recover, and adapt in the face of challenges like hurricanes, flooding, and changing conditions. It includes planning for long-term sustainability and investing in infrastructure, programs, and practices that help Orange County thrive now and into the future.

In 2021, Orange County adopted the Sustainable Operations & Resilience Action Plan, focused on leading by example through internal improvements in energy use, infrastructure, water conservation, mobility, and land management. The Plan guides County operations to reduce environmental impacts, cut costs, improve efficiency and support a healthier, more resilient future.

Orange County is moving toward long-term resilience with significant stormwater projects and policy updates that help protect our neighborhoods from environmental changes and flooding. Key initiatives include:

• The Orlo Vista Flood Mitigation Project, which tripled stormwater pond capacity and prevented flooding during Hurricane Milton in 2024 and will be completed in 2025.
• Rainfall Intensity Studies- evaluation of rainfall data within Orange County to determine its impacts on design storm criteria and will be completed in 2025.
• Basin Master Plans – each major drainage basin will be modeled to update FEMA floodplain data and guide future infrastructure investments. These updates have staggered completion dates but the final basin will be completed in 2028.
• Low Impact Development (LID)- The Orange County LID Manual introduces green infrastructure strategies that manage stormwater as a resource—reducing runoff, improving water quality, and enhancing urban landscapes. Practices include rain gardens, tree box filters, activated media filters, and bioretention systems. Orange County is Currently working to add practices to the manual which include pervious/permeable pavement, stormwater harvesting, modular wetlands and more. This update is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Orange County continues to lead in stormwater resilience planning with projects like these:

• Evaluation of a Stormwater Utility Fee to support long-term drainage infrastructure funding.
  • Phase 1 evaluated current level of service (LOS) as well as future LOS and analyzed how a rate model and goals for the LOS could be implemented. This phase was completed in 2025.
  • Phase 2 will finalize impervious data, engage citizens through community outreach, develop a list of priority projects, and propose a final rate structure to meet LOS goals. This phase is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
  • Phase 3 will be the implementation of the Stormwater Utility and include public hearings pending the BCC approval in 2026.
• Countywide Vulnerability Study- The county received a Resilient Florida (380.093 F.S.) planning grant to identify critical assets that may be at risk during different flood scenarios. This project is scheduled for completion in 2025.
• Shingle Creek/Orlo Vista water withdrawal project – will provide another tool to reduce the volume of stormwater draining into southern portions of Shingle Creek by rerouting water to the South Water Reclamation Facility to use as reclaimed water. This project is currently in permitting phase and scheduled for construction in 2027.
• Drainage Manual – creating an efficient system where drainage design criteria are compiled for ease of use. This project is scheduled for completion in 2026.
• Development of a predictive flood modeling system for proactive storm response.
• National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is a countywide stormwater permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Water Quality data and projects can be found on the Orange County Water Atlas.
• Updates ordinances to improve natural stormwater management:
  • Wetland Code
  • Tree Protection Code

Everyone plays a role in building a resilient community. Whether you’re a resident, business, or community partner, your voice and actions matter. To learn more about our resilience and sustainability programs, visit www.ocfl.net/sustainability.

Do you see areas in your community that the county should be evaluating for either flooding or water quality pollution? If so, please send us some information by completing this short survey: Stormwater Community Feedback Survey.

Stormwater Management
Orange County Public Works
Phone: 407-836-7900
Email: PublicWorks@ocfl.net

All e-mail sent to this address becomes part of Orange County public record. Comments received by our e-mail subsystem can be read by anyone who requests that privilege. In compliance with "Government in the Sunshine" laws, Orange County Government must make available, at request, any and all information not deemed a threat to the security of law enforcement agencies and personnel.