Vulnerability Assessment Public Outreach #2

Please note that two or more Council members may be in attendance at the January 6, 2025 City of Destin Vulnerability Assessment 2nd public and stakeholder outreach meeting which starts at 5 p.m. in the Annex. It will take place before the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

This project is an essential planning effort to address the pressing challenges posed by storm surge and other types of flooding to our community's critical infrastructure.

What is a Vulnerability Assessment (VA)?
A VA is a planning study. In Florida, this study is a grant-funded project. This project is funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The project aimed to assess climate hazards in Freeport. A VA, per legislation in Florida, is defined in Section 380.093, F.S. In essence, engineers and planners use software to analyze the resilience of critical assets (i.e., primary roads, stormwater infrastructure, schools, hospitals, etc.) against flood hazards, such as intense rain events and storm surge, associated with hurricanes. The data are used to document the vulnerability of these assets in different storm scenarios. The project timeline will last approximately 14 months and commenced in late October. Upon the completion of this study, Focus Areas, containing critical assets in each community (and within the greater unincorporated areas of the county) will be identified. Applications for future grants/funding opportunities with the State and Federal Government agencies can include this study report as necessary documentation, to demonstrate the need for flood mitigation projects.

Upcoming Public Outreach Meeting #2 - Why Your Participation Matters:

The upcoming public outreach meeting will feature professionals who will present results from the flood analysis and impact of flooding on critical assets in our community. The second meeting seeks input from the public on the results of the analyses and draft adaptation strategies, to focus efforts and mitigate current and future flooding.

Your participation will enable us to create a comprehensive and well-informed strategy to address flooding issues in the City. Please spread the word about this meeting with anyone who you know may be interested in attending. Together, we can build a more resilient, flood-resistant future that protects critical infrastructure, and ensures the safety and prosperity of its residents and businesses.