Teaching about Risk and Resilience: Sea Level Rise, Flooding, and the City of Fort Lauderdale

Nancy J. Gassman, Ph.D.Asst. Director Public Works SustainabilityCity of Fort Lauderdale

Florida Center for Environmental StudiesFlorida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FLMay 14-16, 2014

Risk and Resilience

Risk is the likelihood that we or our property will be harmed, and the consequences of that harm.

Resilience is the ability to return to the status quo after a disturbing event.

Because of Climate Change, our riskscape is evolving. We need to build capacity to avoid damage and/or recover from the disasters we can expect to face in the future.

Accepting Sea Level Rise

• Admit you have a problem

• A picture is worth 1,000 words

• Live it, learn it

• Address the problem with a solution

* Red represents areas below 5 feet (1.52 m) elevation.

LAND ELEVATION MAP

Low topography puts the majority of the city at risk to flooding from• Sea level rise• Storm surge• Extreme rainfall• Extreme high tides

Storm Surge

• >50 years since last major storm surge

• Sea level rise will increase impacts

• ↑ rainfall associated with storm will cause more floodingCity Hall

Accepting Sea Level Rise

• Admit you have a problem

• A picture is worth 1,000 words

• Live it, learn it

• Address the problem with a solution

Photos taken by Paul Krashefski

Photos taken by Paul Krashefski

Accepting Sea Level Rise

• Admit you have a problem

• A picture is worth 1,000 words

• Live it, learn it

• Address the problem with a solution

Recent Weather Extremes in Florida

Boynton Beach – Jan 9-10, 2014

22 inches of rain

12 inches in 2 hours1000 yr storm

endtimeheadlines.wordpress.com www.wptv.com/treasure-coast-flooding-photos

www.wptv.com/treasure-coast-flooding-photosPhoto credit: Will Greenlee, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers

Super Storm Sandy – Oct. 2012

• Super Storm Sandy brushes past S. Florida - October 26th – 28th • Large breaking waves, beach erosion and coastal flooding• Weakened natural and built armory

Oct 2012: Sandy -The Storm that never came ashore

Photo by Susan Stocker, Sun-Sentinel

Photo by Steve Lange, Sun-Sentinel

Seasonal High Tides – Nov. 2012Seasonal High TidesLow-pressure system brought strong winds,

forceful swells and sustained high seasRoadway, seawall, sidewalk and signal mast

arm destruction

Accepting Sea Level Rise

• Admit you have a problem

• A picture is worth 1,000 words

• Live it, learn it

• Address the problem with a solution

Vision Statement

http://www.fortlauderdale.gov/vision

Fort Lauderdale In Action

Tidal Valves Neighborhood Projects River Oaks Stormwater ParkStormwater PlanningAdaptation Action Areas (AAA) Pilot ProjectSuper Storm Sandy – post disaster

opportunityEnvironmental & Sustainability

Management System

RECHARGE DRAINAGE WELL

BIOSWALESTIDAL

CONTROL VALVES

EXFILTRATIONTRENCH

PERVIOUS PAVERS & PAVEDRAIN

SEAWALL REPAIRS & UPGRADES

STORMWATER PRESERVES

PUMPING STATIONS

Comprehensive Multi-year Stormwater Master Plan Improvement Features

Opportunities for Adaptation and Resilience

Storm Impact

Adds elevation and drains away from properties

Anchors the knee wall

In the end, it doesn’t hurt to use humor

South Florida

Adaptation Strategy Under Consideration in S. Florida