The Resilience to Future Flooding project focuses on addressing communication and financial barriers to sea-level rise resilience in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Status: Maintained
This is a two-part project.
1. Communication Barriers
Understanding the breadth of information on sea-level rise and its related hazards is a significant challenge, especially for communities with limited time and resources and a full plate. To reduce this barrier, the Resilience to Future Flooding project developed a series of short films (around 5 minutes each) covering ‘Sea-Level Rise 101’ basics and case studies of how different Gulf Coast communities are increasing their resilience to sea-level rise hazards with relatively small pots of money.
If you are interested in the accompanying film research documentation, containing research and citations for all of the Resilience to Future Flooding short films, you can access it here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Andrew.
2. Financial Barriers
Secondly, but not secondly for many communities wanting to implement resilience efforts, is the financial barrier. Local governments are the entities most likely to create successful sea-level rise resilience strategies and actions because they’re most in-tune to community needs; however, they are also often extremely resource-limited and traditionally overworked and understaffed. Further, many local municipal governments in the northern Gulf region do not have grant writing expertise on staff to help with acquiring necessary funds.
To reduce this barrier, the Resilience to Future Flooding project put out a Request for Project Ideas in spring 2019, focused on supporting communities in their northern Gulf of Mexico increase their resilience to sea-level rise, future flooding, and related hazards. Assistance with putting together a project plan was available, as well as a reduced match rate and a registry of parties interested in partnerships to work on these issues.
Sub-Projects
All projects are now complete. Video diaries filmed by each community are coming soon!
Alligator Point, Florida –
Alligator Point Coastal Resilience Study: Vulnerability Assessment and Alternatives Analysis
In partnership with the community and Franklin County, the Apalachee Regional Planning Council is assessing vulnerabilities to Alligator Point as sea levels rise – including one of the most persistent issues of the sole access and evacuation route to the community, a road called Alligator Drive. As part of the project, an alternatives analysis was developed to consider what options are available for resiliency improvements.
Apalachicola, Florida –
Apalachicola Resilience through Mitigation
The City of Apalachicola assessed historic properties for risks related to sea-level rise and associated flood hazards. This project provided the City with specific recommendations and estimates for mitigation measures such as floodproofing or elevating the vulnerable properties.
Press release announcing project completion available here.
Achieving Resilience through Hazard Mitigation final report available here.
Biloxi, Mississippi –
Improving Flood Resiliency in Biloxi’s Economic Development Corridor
The City of Biloxi and CNC (Catastrope & National Claims) partnered to develop a First Floor Elevation (FFE) database. This information provides a more accurate and detailed analysis of flood risk under various current and future flood scenarios as well as hurricane storm surge with sea-level rise.
Magnolia River, Alabama –
Reducing Flooding of Magnolia River with Regional Detention: A Constructed Wetland Feasibility Study
To address flooding concerns now and in the future, as well as to look at reducing sediment and pollution, the Friends of Magnolia River Committee, Baldwin County Soil & Water Conservation District, and Town of Magnolia Springs conducted a feasibility study considering wetland construction on the uplands of Magnolia River.
Press release announcing project completion available here.
Borrow Pits to Regional Detention along Magnolia River final report available here.
Santa Rosa County, Florida –
Building Flood Resilience in Santa Rosa County, FL
Santa Rosa County conducted a full vulnerability assessment and developing a flood-risk cost estimator web application to inform residents of future flood risk and stimulate open community dialogue at public workshops.
Funded by a Regional Coastal Resilience Grant, 2017.