Naples receives nearly $400k to safeguard against climate change

Reporter: Asha Patel Writer: Joey Pellegrino
Published:
The tide comes in under Naples Pier. Credit: WINK News

Naples is getting almost $400,000 in funding that will go towards the Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Program, aimed at safeguarding the city from the effects of climate change.

In June 2020, Naples completed a climate change vulnerability assessment. The first phase was to identify any climate change-related risks to the city. Officials say they were able to identify the timing and extent of Naples’ exposure to sea level rise, coastal storms and extreme heat.

Natalie Hardman, natural resources manager for Naples, says it’s important to look at these issues, especially with hurricane season around the corner.

“If you live in a low-lying area, you know that maybe your street floods, but we’re going to be looking at areas that maybe they don’t flood right now, but maybe will flood in the future,” Hardman said.

City officials are looking at the flooding that could occur so they can identify where the flooding would be the worst and eliminate that problem ahead of time.

“The vulnerability assessment right now is going to just identify under new criteria, and the new criteria that [the Florida Department of Environmental Proteciton] came up with include additional sea level rise scenarios, inclusion of critical community facilities, and evaluation of compound flooding due to a combination of rainfall and sea level rise,” Hardman said.

The next step, after Naples identifies the vulnerability assessment, is the adaptation plan, which will protect against potential hazards that could impact residents, the economy and the infrastructure.

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