When the Water Rises in a Georgia City, So Does Fear of What’s in It

Residents in Brunswick, Georgia are facing a recurring problem. Heavy rains and high tides often submerge local streets, creating flood conditions that force neighbors to navigate their blocks by canoe. While stormwater improvements have provided some relief, many locals worry about what is hidden in the water.

Semona Holmes, a resident living near a former pesticide plant, is among those concerned about the legacy of industrial waste. The site is a designated federal Superfund area, one of several in Glynn County. Residents fear that rising water levels and severe weather events are moving toxic chemicals from these contaminated zones into their backyards, soil, and homes.

To address these concerns, researchers from six academic institutions are launching a new Superfund research center. Backed by $15 million in federal funding, the project aims to document the long-term health consequences of chemical exposure in the area. The scientists plan to study the environmental movement of contaminants and create models to predict how climate change might worsen the situation.

Public health experts like Noah Scovronick from Emory University state that the goal is to evaluate if current remediation efforts are capable of withstanding extreme weather. The researchers are working directly with community members to ensure their findings address the specific questions people have about their health and safety. The study will unfold over five years.

For families in Brunswick, the research represents a necessary step toward accountability. Residents are calling for a formal acknowledgment of the environmental damage from the companies responsible for the industrial sites. Beyond documentation, they emphasize the need for ongoing action to protect local children who play in the area and to improve safety standards across the county.