Diane Quigley, project manager for Stantech, presented an overview of the ongoing vulnerability assessment, emphasizing its significance in pinpointing critical assets at risk from flooding. By coordinating local mitigation strategies with the National Flood Insurance Program, the city hopes to reduce insurance premiums across the board.

Quigley highlighted the importance of community feedback, inviting public input to ensure all relevant flooding concerns and critical assets are factored into the assessment. She stated, “We want to get your input on today,” stressing that while the focus is on public assets, there are state programs for homeowners and businesses affected by flooding. The assessment is currently in the public presentation phase, with further data collection planned to identify priority projects through adaptive strategies, including traditional infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

A issue raised during the meeting was the persistent flooding on 131st Street near Ingram Terrace, which has long been a frustration for residents. While some efforts have been made to address this, repeated repairs have yet to solve the problem.

The discussion expanded to include the broader implications of flooding across Opa-Locka. A commissioner suggested changing the city’s name to “Opa City” to reflect the pervasive flooding challenges. He highlighted personal experiences with significant water accumulation in his driveway during heavy rains, emphasizing the need for effective governmental intervention.

To guide future planning and mitigation strategies, a stakeholders meeting is set to review a draft technical memo on data collection. This data, combined with climate and hydrological models, will assess the long-term flooding risks, projecting that areas currently experiencing minor issues could face severe impacts by 2050 and 2080. The potential for reducing flood insurance costs through the CRS was also discussed, with initial discounts of 10 to 15 percent for participating homeowners, and further reductions possible through additional mitigation efforts.

Attention was also given to current roadway and sidewalk projects. Concerns were raised about whether these projects effectively redirect water, as flooding remains an issue in areas where the streets are not city-owned. The city’s CIP manager confirmed that elevation concepts are being used to manage water flow, but challenges persist with certain streets, complicating necessary improvements.

Private property flooding was addressed, with mention of state programs such as “Elevate Florida,” which provides funding for homeowners to elevate their properties. Additional funding options for wind damage repairs and a business guide for resilience were also discussed.

The need for additional funding opportunities was emphasized, with upcoming grant cycles, including one for resilient Florida applications, offering capital grants for immediate projects. Discussions highlighted skepticism about the effectiveness of French drain systems, with a demand for a report with future recommendations.

Further dialogue centered around the elevation of roads like 27th Avenue and Le June, which have exacerbated flooding on side streets. Restrictions from the county on water drainage were noted, along with the lack of emergency pumps to alleviate flooding in business areas like Romo Place.

City management detailed ongoing improvements on 17th Street and efforts on 133rd Avenue, noting that while some progress has been made, significant rainfall still causes flooding. The drainage systems are becoming more efficient, but collaboration with the state remains necessary for further improvements.

Community engagement was encouraged, with mechanisms for reporting flooding incidents available on the city website and through an app. A commissioner highlighted the need for businesses like Chavez Market and Price Choice to be informed about available grants for flooding solutions, emphasizing accountability in maintaining properties.