Steve Boning, representing Coastal Waterways Design and Engineering LLC, presented the assessment’s findings, stressing the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities to storm events and rising sea levels. Boning highlighted the economic, social, environmental, and public health challenges posed by these threats, which have been exacerbated by increasing storm frequency and intensity. With the assessment funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the town stands to benefit from future resilience projects, contingent on the completion of this evaluation.

Key scenarios examined include a projected Category 3 storm surge and sea level rise for 2040 and 2070, with data sourced from NOAA. The assessment’s maps reveal potential flooding in low-lying shorelines and wetlands, emphasizing the exposure of developed areas under combined high tide and sea level rise scenarios.

The examination of high tide events further underscores the community’s risk. These events, coupled with sea level rise, could lead to significant water exposure in low-lying regions. The assessment presented evidence that certain developed areas could face substantial flooding, prompting the need for a comprehensive resilience strategy.

Attention was also directed to infrastructure, including roadways such as A1A, and facilities like electrical and lift stations. The risk levels were categorized based on water depth, with low risk defined as less than one foot of water, medium risk as one to three feet, and high risk as over three feet. While A1A is constructed to withstand an intermediate low scenario for 2070, a Category 3 storm could result in substantial flooding, affecting around 1,750 feet of roadway.

The potential impact of a Category 3 storm surge was detailed, with projections indicating significant water levels, such as “3.2 feet of water” in key locations. The analysis noted that while storm surge models offer valuable insights, they do not account for wave impacts or erosion, which are vital for understanding the full scope of potential damage.

The meeting also addressed funding opportunities for further assessments and studies on sea level rise impacts. The town could demonstrate “critically eroded Beach” status, leveraging robust data to secure funding for mitigative measures. This would involve engaging with regulatory processes and advocating for recognition of vulnerabilities under specific rules.

A critical aspect of the discussion was the exposure analysis of essential roadways and facilities. The risk stratification highlighted that most SUVs could navigate low-risk conditions, while only larger vehicles might handle medium-risk depths. This nuanced understanding of vehicle capabilities is vital for emergency response planning.

Despite previous setbacks in including lower causeways in assessments, there is a push for comprehensive data collection to enhance future projects and community resilience.

Concerns about public access to data were also raised, with discussions on developing interactive maps for residents to visualize flooding scenarios. While an ambitious endeavor, such a tool would require resources and collaborative feedback from council members and residents.