Cemetery Remediation & Stormwater Management

Ardurra delivered cemetery restoration services following Hurricane Florence's devastating September 2018 impact on Elizabethtown Cemetery, where significant rainfall caused widespread flooding and infrastructure damage affecting over 500 burial sites—approximately half the cemetery grounds. Differential soil settling, shear planes, and ground saturation displaced grave markers and shifted burial sites, requiring immediate stabilization and restoration.

Following an alternatives evaluation for soil remediation, Ardurra implemented a conceptual engineering solution to stabilize and correct differential settlement throughout the cemetery. The complex restoration included installing 500 linear feet of sheet pile, designing an intricate under-drain system, and replacing a 500-foot road section while preserving the cemetery's historical integrity.

Key Project Highlights:

• Secured $5.2+ million in FEMA funding for comprehensive cemetery restoration and repairs

• Conducted a ground-penetrating radar survey to accurately map the existing graveyard layout and burial locations

• Reset 275 grave markers to proper locations using precise surveying and mapping techniques

• Installed complex drainage infrastructure, including 500 LF sheet pile and sophisticated under-drain system

• Remapped entire cemetery plots, ensuring accurate record-keeping for future maintenance

• Restored the cemetery to its pre-hurricane appearance, maintaining historical character and community significance

• Provided full-service project management from planning through construction observation and funding assistance

The project earned a 2023 Engineering Excellence Honors Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina, recognizing exceptional restoration achievement. The completed cemetery appears virtually identical to its pre-hurricane condition, preserving this important community landmark for future generations.