Help is coming for areas in south Baldwin County that have been hit hard by high water over the last few years.

The city of Foley plans to spend more than $1 million dollars in COVID relief funds on stormwater infrastructure and drainage projects in hopes of relieving flooding that has previously damaged homes and businesses.

Lisa Way is one of many Foley homeowners who said improvements are desperately needed.

"I think that this was a long time coming," said Way.

Way's plan to retire on Wolf Bay Drive, off County Road 12, in Foley has been interrupted twice by flood damage over the last 6 years; first during a 2014 rainstorm, and again during Hurricane Sally in 2020.

Way said she's not even in a flood zone.

"It's totally frustrating and it's expensive. We're paying to have this house torn down. We're paying to haul in dirt for the new house to go on, and then building the new house," Way said.

Other Foley residents and business owners have also dealt with severe flooding as recently as 2 months ago.

"Just from the rain this past week, we have markings on our brick where water came up," said Way.

City officials are aware and have been working to find a solution to a problem that's gotten worse.

"We have seen over the past 6 or 7 years some of these abnormal events become a little bit more normal," said Ralph Hellmich, Foley's Mayor.

Hellmich said they plan to use $1.5 million of the $2.9 million the city received from the American Rescue Plan to improve storm water run-off and drainage city wide.

""The feds list things you can use it for and one of them is stormwater infrastructure. There are probably about 20 projects identified. Foley is a very flat town so it's a constant battle to keep our drainage ways open and functioning," Hellmich said.

Included on the list are neighborhoods like Beulah Heights, and Ashford Park, as well as Cedar Street and the Magnolia Circle areas.

"A lot of times we have to acquire additional easements, and it may be a right of way or maintenance easement," said Hellmich.

According to Hellmich, parts of Bon Secour, communities along US 98, and County Road 12 - near Way's house - will also receive upgrades.

"I'm glad they're on the table now to get it right for years ahead and to help the citizens out," Way said.

Hellmich said they hope to have the projects finished by the end of 2022. He said the city intends to make additional drainage improvements, when possible, for years to come.