June 1, 2023 – Flagler County and the Northeast Florida Regional Council (NEFRC) are hosting a pair of meetings – June 6 and June 9 – to get input about the methodology, locations of special concern, and other aspects of the Vulnerability Assessment.
“The Vulnerability Assessment will help communities identify areas that are likely to be impacted by future hazards, such as storm surge, flooding, and sea level rise,” said Public Lands and Natural Resources Manager Michael Lagasse. “With the help of the Vulnerability Assessment, communities can then create effective strategies to address these hazards.”
Lagasse, on behalf of the county as well as municipal and regional partners, has applied for three Resilient Florida planning grants from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to complete and coordinate countywide and regional vulnerability assessments.
“The NEFRC will be conducting the meeting and hopes to get input from local citizens on the areas and concerns that have been, or might be, affected by extreme weather conditions from extended rain events and hurricanes,” Lagasse said.
The meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 6 at the Flagler County Extension Office Auditorium, 150 Sawgrass Road, Bunnell, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. June 9 at the Government Services Building First Floor Conference Room, 1769 E. Moody Boulevard, Building 2, Bunnell.
Florida is slated to begin its work this year, according to an FDEP release.
“Under the leadership of Governor (Ron) DeSantis, the state of Florida has become a national leader in resilience action,” said FDEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton in the release. “Hurricanes Ian and Nicole illustrate just how crucial this investment is and will continue to be. These identified projects announced today will ensure inland and coastal communities are prepared for the impacts of storm surge, hurricanes and flooding and allow us to continue our aggressive efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources and infrastructure.”
The assessments are to include the following: a critical and regionally significant asset inventory; a climate exposure analysis; and, a sensitivity analysis.
“The work that is about to begin, is critical to Flagler County,” said County Administrator Heidi Petito. “With participation in this resiliency and vulnerability assessment, we lay the foundation for a community that not only survives, but thrives, in the face of adversity.”
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