Fort Morgan, Ala. — (OBA) —  A major drainage project in the Fort Morgan area is now complete, and the timing could not be better. The Baldwin County Commission announced the completion of the Surfside Drive Drainage Improvements Project just as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway. The project was designed and built to reduce flooding and help water drain away from homes and roads more quickly. Officials say the work will help make the area more resilient when the next big storm rolls through.

The $2.7 million project included the construction of about 5,500 feet of new drainage infrastructure. The system was designed to provide floodwaters with a clear path out of the area, which engineers call a positive outfall. This allows water to move away from low-lying neighborhoods more quickly, rather than lingering for days after a storm.

The project was announced to be completed on June 4, 2026. It has been a long time coming for residents near Surfside Drive. For years, that part of Fort Morgan has experienced severe flooding after hurricanes and heavy rain. Roads would become impassable, and some residents were cut off from their homes until the water receded on its own.

The new system is designed to change that. By giving the water a faster route out of the area, the drainage improvements should help roads and driveways become accessible again much sooner after a major storm. Officials say it should also reduce the likelihood of that level of flooding in the future.

Funding for the project came primarily through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). That federal program was established to help communities recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and to invest in critical infrastructure. Baldwin County used that funding to address a flooding problem that had frustrated Fort Morgan residents for many years.

The Baldwin County Commission said the project aligns with its broader goal of building stronger, safer communities across the county. Improving drainage and reducing flood risk are key to protecting both people and property when severe weather hits the Gulf Coast region.