Climate Resiliency
What is Resiliency?
With seven miles of shoreline; 300+ miles of waterway coastline; a flat topography; a shallow, porous aquifer; and a subtropical climate; Fort Lauderdale is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly sea level rise, extreme rain events and elevated temperatures. Consequently, Fort Lauderdale prioritizes increasing its resilience to sea level rise, temperature increases and other climate impacts. Resilience means that the City is striving to continually increase its capacity to withstand and recover quickly from climate challenges.
Challenges facing Fort Lauderdale
The Rising Sea
Over the last 150 years, the average global sea level has risen by about eight inches and current projections expect an additional 9 to 24 inches of sea level rise within 50 years. This is driven by the ocean's thermal expansion and melting glaciers due to increased global temperatures. Most residents of Fort Lauderdale live less than five feet above sea level and many residents will increasingly be more vulnerable to tidal flooding. To learn more about King Tides visit the link below:
Hotter and Longer Seasons
Global warming is increasing temperatures across the planet and in Fort Lauderdale. This impact is exacerbated in cities such as Fort Lauderdale where buildings, concrete, and asphalt absorb large amounts of heat that would otherwise be reflected back into the atmosphere by the natural environment. As a region, the number of days with a high above 88°F has increased by 36% in the last 20 years.
Rainfall Patterns & Storm Intensity
Generally, scientists agree South Florida will receive a more variable rainfall pattern consisting of longer dry spells interrupted by significant rainfall events. Hurricane intensity is tied to sea surface temperatures and as the oceans warm, it is expected that hurricanes will become larger and more powerful. It is important to note hurricane formation requires more than warm temperatures and as such the number of hurricane events is not projected to increase, but the intensity and associated rainfall of these events is forecast to increase.
Fort Lauderdale’s Resiliency Efforts
The City of Fort Lauderdale strives to integrate resilience into all of its operations. Below are just a few highlights of how the City is doing this.
Adaptation Action Areas (AAAs)
An Adaptation Action Area (AAA) is an optional comprehensive plan designation for areas that experience coastal flooding and are vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels for the purpose of prioritizing funding for infrastructure and adaptation planning.
Once implemented, the policies and protocols which result from AAA designation promote resiliency. The City tracks annual progress on resilience-related projects in AAAs in its Community Investment Plan. To learn more about current and past AAA in Fort Lauderdale, please visit the Broward County’s Resiliency Dashboard below:
Broward County Resiliency Dashboard
Stormwater Master Plan
In January 2018, the City finalized the Stormwater Master Plan (SMP), a City-wide modeling activity, identifying the City’s seven most flood-vulnerable neighborhoods. The SMP includes drainage improvements to address today’s flooding issues and is designed to provide flood protection over the next 50 years as the climate continues to change. A citywide stormwater model created during the development of the Stormwater Master Plan was used to run future climate change scenarios to account for potential extreme rainfall and sea level rise projections. Based on that modeling, seven additional neighborhoods were identified for a second phase of drainage improvements. Construction for the comprehensive drainage improvements identified in Phase I of the plan has begun in the Edgewood and River Oaks neighborhoods. To date, over five miles of drainage pipe has been laid within these two neighborhoods. The design of stormwater improvements in Melrose Manors, one of the neighborhoods in Phase II of the plan, is underway and has been expedited due to a significant need identified after Tropical Storm Eta. To explore the Stormwater Master Plan, please follow the link below:
Seawall Master Plan & Tidal Barrier Ordinance
The City of Fort Lauderdale developed a Seawall Master Plan to review the condition of the City-owned seawalls and determine their top elevations relative to current and future sea level rise. The Seawall Master Plan created a long-term outlook and prioritized construction upgrades to seawalls in poor condition and most at risk of overtopping during King Tide events.
In addition, on March 23, 2023, the City of Fort Lauderdale updated its seawall ordinance (ULDR Section 47-19.3) to adopt regionally-consistent construction standards setting a minimum top elevation for seawalls and other tidal barriers to ensure that both public and privately owned seawalls contribute to coastal resilience and mitigate the effects of tidal flooding and sea level rise. As sea level continues to rise, higher well-maintained seawalls will address short-term flooding caused by tidal events.
What Can You Do
Be ready for storms and flooding events
Living in Florida, the threat of tropical storms is an almost annual event. Therefore, it is important that Fort Lauderdale residents prepare throughout the year for storm events. This includes making an emergency plan, stocking up on food, water and flashlights, and knowing when and where to evacuate. To learn more about emergency preparedness please visit the link below:
Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Preparedness Resources
Make your property resilient
Year-round there is much to be done to reduce the impacts of storms and floods. These can include knowing your flood zone, making improvements for storm hardening, insuring your property, and building responsibly. To learn more go to follow the link below:
Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Preparedness Resources
Be prepared for tidal flooding
If you live in an area vulnerable to tidal flooding, be mindful of upcoming king tides events. During tidal flooding events, avoid driving or walking through flood waters to prevent damage to your car or health; follow posted road closure and detour signs; and if you have to drive through flooded areas, avoid causing a wake. The expected dates of King Tide events are published on the City’s website and for more information on preparing for flooding. To learn more go to follow the link below:
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