ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Northeast Florida has seen its fair share of catastrophic flooding and St. Augustine is no exception.
Now, the city of St. Augustine is working with the Army Corps of Engineers on a three year study on how to mitigate future flood damage to the city from hurricanes, severe storms and rising sea levels. The study was officially signed into action Monday night at St. Augustine City Hall.
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“Saint Augustine needs protection,” Colonel James Booth with the Army Corps of Engineers said after the signing. “Not only for the historic nature of Saint Augustine, for our nation, which is clear, but also for the infrastructure that’s here that protects and sustains the citizens of the city.”
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The $3 million study is being funded by the Army Corps of Engineers and American Rescue Plan funds.
The city and the corps of engineers are also asking the community to provide feedback throughout the study, with opportunities for community members to share their thoughts available in the coming months.
Watch: Major St. Augustine flooding
“Over the next few months we’ll hold a series of sensing sessions, listening sessions to hear from the citizens and other stakeholders about what they’re looking for out of this study,” Colonel Booth stated.
Action News Jax spoke to one member of the St. Augustine community, Selah Hassle, who thinks fortifying the city’s coastline should be a priority.
“Building up the sea wall probably,” Hassle suggested. “Also, on the beach, the dunes. Because usually that’s pretty bad.”
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More information on the study and its objectives can be found by clicking here.
