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City of St. Augustine asking for public input to address flooding concerns

A kayaker paddles through a flooded downtown St. Augustine on Thursday morning. (News4JAX)

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The city of St. Augustine is looking for public input for its citywide vulnerability assessment.

This assessment helps the area measure potential impacts from flooding and sea level rise as well as find out who and what might be affected.

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The public will have an opportunity to review the initial results of the assessment and provide feedback at a meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

Residents are also invited to provide input on areas and assets that should be considered in the project development. The city said staff will be available to answer questions related to the assessment.

St. Augustine has been participating in the study since 2016 in part due to a $500,000 grant.

The city said sea level rise is happening but it is not certain of how high it will go or when it will occur. 

NOAA has a “Sea Level Rise Viewer” that allows you to scroll through various levels of water and see just how much would currently impact St. Augustine. 

Two feet of water would mean flooding in Davis Shores. Three feet covers the entire riverfront. Five to six feet would see a majority of the city underwater.

The Public Works Department said it is working on several projects like the tide check valves to help reduce the sunny-day or “nuisance” flooding in streets.

Future plans are focusing on options for wastewater treatment plants.

The Florida Department of Transportation is also addressing water-related concerns with the St. Augustine seawall construction that is meant to protect the area from storms.

That $45 million project along A1A from the Bridge of Lions to Charlotte Street is expected to start as early as November 2025.


About the Author
Chris Will headshot

Chris Will has joined the News4JAX team as a weekend morning reporter, after graduating from the University of Florida in spring 2024. During his time in Gainesville, he covered a wide range of stories across the Sunshine State. His coverage of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

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