In Person Vulnerability Assessment Open Houses to Take Place Sept. 16 18

Monroe County is hosting a series of open houses to discuss the County's Vulnerability Assessment project. The purpose of the open houses is to provide a more interactive setting for people to see posters about the project and review specific maps about the various types of assets and flood risks the County is planning for in the future.

The meetings will take place as follows:

• Open House #1: Monday, Sept. 16 at 5-6 p.m.
  • Commissioner Lincoln's Conference Room
  • 243 Key Deer Blvd, Big Pine Key, FL 33043
• Open House #2: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 5-6 p.m
  • Monroe County Public Library, Marathon Branch
  • 3490 Overseas Hwy. Marathon, FL 33050
• Open House #3: Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5-6 p.m
  • Murray Nelson Building, Commissioner Raschein's Conference Room
  • 102050 Overseas Hwy, Suite 2-234, Key Largo, FL 33037

Monroe County has been planning over the last year to create an updated Vulnerability Assessment to comply with new state requirements under Section 380.093, Florida Statutes. The County received grant funding from the State of Florida to complete this project.

In these open houses, the County will present information about its planning process, the State's requirements, the modeling and analysis completed, and the State of the County's vulnerability to flood risk from sea level rise, tidal flooding, rainfall, and combined flooding events. The County will also have maps available (through the meeting facilities) for the public to request certain areas for review. The County will also provide information about its critical assets and infrastructure and other regional assets located in the County to prioritize its adaptation response.

"We are seeking the public's input to ensure we have included all of the important County assets and infrastructure, that we have developed the right priorities, and that we hear from you on the types of adaptation response you would like to see the County pursue," said Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag.