In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the critical need for phased resilience projects to address the escalating risks posed by climate change, particularly rising sea levels. The meeting highlighted the importance of implementing a two-tiered approach to flood management, with Tier 1 serving as a foundational step necessary for the benefits of Tier 2 to be realized.

The economic evaluation presented during the meeting revealed that implementing these resilience measures could preserve up to $660 million in annual economic activity and protect property values ranging from $8 billion to $30 billion. The analysis indicated that without these measures, communities could face significant losses, including a potential 20% reduction in property values and $2 billion in lost sales revenues due to flooding.

Officials emphasized the necessity of investing in both tiers, with Tier 1 estimated to cost approximately $21.4 billion and Tier 2 bringing the total to around $30 billion. The anticipated return on investment for Tier 1 is projected at a modest 0.8%, while combining both tiers could increase the return to 7.3%. However, concerns were raised regarding the feasibility of securing funding for such large-scale projects, with officials acknowledging that current state and federal funding levels are insufficient to meet the projected costs.

The meeting also addressed the integration of local studies, such as one conducted by Hollywood, to avoid duplicative efforts in flood risk modeling. The collaborative approach aims to ensure that all municipalities benefit from shared data and strategies.

As the county prepares to finalize its resilience plan, officials are committed to engaging with municipal partners and the business community to refine funding strategies and implementation timelines. The urgency of these discussions reflects a growing recognition of the need for proactive measures to safeguard communities against the impacts of climate change.