MULBERRY, Fla. - The city of Mulberry is applying for a multi-million-dollar grant that would mitigate the risk of flooding at its wastewater plant and prevent a potential environmental disaster.

"When it backs up to the west, it'll start coming onto the property," said John Wright, the city's Utility Director.

What we know:

During a hurricane or heavy rain event, water from the north converges on both sides of the wastewater plant in Mulberry and dumps into the Alafia River.

Normally, the river is about 30 feet wide, but during a hurricane, it can expand to 300 feet wide.

"Every hurricane, we're out there at 2, 3, or 4 in the morning, scrambling to keep these waters from the Alafia away from the wastewater plant," said city manager Rick Johnson.

To avoid major flood issues and an

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