Erie Weighs $100,000 Study of West Side Flooding

The proposed 2027 budget would fund a consultant to determine why homes near South Shore Drive keep flooding.

Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete stormwater conduit and branching buried pipes in a shallow trench, in slate, teal, and mustard tones. — Erie City Council is weighing a $100,000 consultant study to determine why homes near South Shore Drive keep flooding, while coordinating with Millcreek Township. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Erie City Council reviewed a proposal to allocate $100,000 in the 2027 city budget to hire a consultant to determine the cause of repeated flooding on the city's west side near South Shore Drive. The city is also coordinating with Millcreek Township officials to evaluate shared stormwater infrastructure.

Why it matters

Repeated flooding has damaged homes on Erie's west side, and the city's response will determine whether residents get a clear cause and remedy. Coordinating with Millcreek Township reflects that stormwater systems may cross municipal lines.

The proposed $100,000 is a line item in the 2027 budget still under study, and the flooding cause remains undetermined. Council's final approval of the consultant funding is not yet confirmed.

The players

Daria Devlin

Daria Devlin is the mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania, who met with residents to set up a process for addressing drainage issues.

Erie City Council

Erie City Council is the legislative body of the city of Erie that reviews the proposed budget and its funding allocations.

Millcreek Township

Millcreek Township is a municipality adjoining Erie whose stormwater connections the city is evaluating alongside its own infrastructure.

The details

Several west side homeowners asked City Council for help at a September meeting after storms flooded their homes more than once. Residents have since met with Mayor Daria Devlin, city engineers and an engineer's assistant in October to discuss causes and solutions, and the city plans to meet with residents again in December about downspouts.

September 2026: Homeowners requested flooding assistance at a City Council meeting.
October 2026: Residents met with city engineers to discuss potential causes and solutions.
November 13, 2026: Council reviewed the $100,000 consultant proposal during a budget study session.
December 2026: The city plans its next meeting with residents about downspouts.

Municipal Context

Erie's flooding response ties into how the city and Millcreek Township share stormwater connections that predate this dispute. The consultant study would be the first formal attempt in this budget cycle to determine whether those shared lines contribute to west side flooding.

If approved, the study could identify whether downspouts, city drains or shared township lines are driving flooding on the west side. Homeowners in the area should expect continued meetings before any repairs are scheduled.

The takeaway

Flooding that repeats after storms often needs a formal cause study before repairs can be targeted, and Erie's proposal reflects that approach. Residents with flooded properties should keep records and attend upcoming meetings to press for results.

What happens next

Erie officials will meet with residents again in December 2026 to discuss downspouts, and the $100,000 consultant proposal remains part of the 2027 budget under review.