When sheets of rain descended on Deltona and DeBary last week, it was a prophetic reminder that the area isn't out of the water yet when it comes to flooding problems.
It's true that a drive around southwest Volusia County now might lead the cynic to question the wisdom of DeBary and Deltona officials, who are considering spending millions of dollars to combat flooding.
As of now, lakes and other waterways appear to the casual observer to be at low-to-moderate levels.
That, however, is largely a function of the dry year we have had prior to last week's deluge.
St. Johns River Water Management District rainfall data - gathered at gauges from Daytona Beach to Sanford - show the year-to-date amounts through May 31 at roughly 2 to 3 inches below normal, depending on the location.
That wasn't the case a year ago, however, when DeBary and Deltona officials separately began examining their community flooding problems.
Rainfall through May 31, 1996, was 7 to 8 inches above the 30-year normal for the five-month period.
Who can forget the results?
Residents in one area of Deltona had their backyard picnic tables underwater.
Septic tanks were too drenched to function properly.
Some property owners saw their trees and bushes rot from waterlog.
What a miserable lifestyle some in southwest Volusia had to endure a year ago.
Preventing a recurrence must remain in the forefront for Deltona and DeBary elected officials concerned with making the area an attractive place to live.
That's why local homeowners and businesses must support efforts by Deltona and DeBary officials as they move ahead with drainage improvement projects - even when the area appears largely high and dry.
Deltona commissioners wisely remained focused Monday night when they chose Orlando-based Professional Engineering Consultants to design the city's drainage system.
An initial drainage program was projected to cost $3 million for a system that would be phased in over 10 years.
It would be paid for with the current drainage fees of $30 on developed and $17 on undeveloped lots.
Likewise, DeBary City Manager Robert Mauney should be commended for continuing with negotiations on a stormwater drainage system for that city.
Private developers and landholders in DeBary who still haven't agreed to share the project's cost should get involved now in active discussions, lest the city's drainage improvement plan be delayed.
A year ago, local officials were criticized in some circles for waiting until there was a flooding crisis to act.
Now, they are working toward getting a solution in place before the area becomes saturated again - as it could with one unfortunate landfall from a hurricane or another wet year like 1996.
Government officials trying to address this problem now deserve the community's full support and cooperation.