Resolution No. 25-58
Future Flood Risk Adaptation Plan
Neighborhoods Department
Planning & Community Development Division
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Updated
July 2025
Exhibit A
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary 1
Background 1-1
1.1 Location and History 1-1
1.2 Sea-Level Rise (SLR) Trend 1-1
1.3 Community Resilience 1-3
1.4 General Adaptation Planning 1-3
1.4.1 Protection 1-3
1.4.2 Accommodation 1-4
1.4.3 Strategic Relocation 1-4
1.4.4 Avoidance 1-4
1.4.5 Procedural 1-4
Legal Context 2-1
2.1 Comprehensive Planning 2-1
2.1 Litigation Risk 2-2
Coastal Vulnerability 3-1
3.1 Exposure 3-1
3.2 Sensitivity 3-2
3.3 Ranking 3-2
3.4 Public Input 3-1
3.5 Local Priorities 3-1
Adaptation Strategies 4-1
4.1 Range of Adaptation Strategies 4-1
4.1.1 Reducing Exposure 4-1
4.1.2 Reducing Sensitivity 4-1
4.1.3 Increasing Adaptive Capacity 4-2
4.2 Focus Areas for Adaptation 4-4
4.2.1 Citywide 4-4
4.2.2 Areas West of Mayport Road 4-4
4.2.3 Major Drainageways 4-5
4.2.4 Roadways 4-6
4.2.5 Critical Utility Infrastructure 4-6
4.2.6 Critical Public Facilities 4-6
4.3 Current Strategies and Existing Regulations 4-7
4.3.1 Existing Plans 4-7
4.3.2 Existing Development Regulations 4-7
4.3.3 Current Initiatives 4-8
4.4 Recommended Strategies for Focus Areas 4-9
4.4.1 Citywide 4-9
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4.4.2 Areas West of Mayport Road 4-11
4.4.3 Major Drainageways 4-12
4.4.4 Roadways 4-16
4.4.5 Critical Utility Infrastructure 4-17
4.4.6 Critical Public Facilities 4-18
Recommended Actions 5-1
5.1 Summary of Recommended Actions and Schedule 5-1
5.2 Monitoring and Evaluation 5-3
References 6-1
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Appendices
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Appendix B – Public Workshop Comments
List of Tables
Table 3-1 – Exposure of Property by Scenario ........................................................................ 3-1
Table 3-2 – Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Tidal Flooding Scenarios ........ 3-0
Table 3-3 –Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Rainfall Flooding Scenarios ...... 3-1
Table 3-4 – Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Surge Flooding Scenarios ....... 3-2
Table 3-5 – Ranking of Exposed Roadway Segments ............................................................. 3-0
Table 4-1 – Comparison of Exposure Reduction Strategies .................................................... 4-1
Table 4-2 – Comparison of Sensitivity Reduction Strategies ................................................... 4-2
Table 5-1 – Summary of Recommendations and Implementation Schedule ............................ 5-1
Table 5-2 – Areas West of Mayport Road Recommended Actions & Schedule ....................... 5-2
Table 5-3 – Major Drainageways Recommended Actions & Schedule .................................... 5-2
Table 5-4 – Roadways Recommended Actions & Schedule .................................................... 5-2
Table 5-5 – Critical Utility Infrastructure .................................................................................. 5-3
Table 5-6 – Critical Public Facilities ......................................................................................... 5-3
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 – Global Change in Sea Levels .............................................................................. 1-2
Figure 1-2 – Sea Level Trends at Mayport Bar Pilots Dock ..................................................... 1-3
Figure 3-1 – Critical Roadway Segment Ranking .................................................................... 3-0
Figure 4-1 – 2044 Nuisance and 100-Year Storm Flooding West of Mayport Road ................. 4-5
Figure 4-2 – Major Drainageways ........................................................................................... 4-6
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Executive Summary
Coastal communities in Florida are already experiencing the effects of sea-level rise (SLR),
stronger coastal storms, and more intense precipitation events. As sea levels are projected to rise
at an accelerating rate in the coming years and decades, increases in flood frequency and flood
depth in coastal areas are expected, which could lead to increased flood insurance costs, market
value declines, and property damage. As a low-lying coastal community bordering the Atlantic
Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) to the west, Atlantic Beach is especially
vulnerable to storm surge, rainfall flooding, nuisance flooding, and SLR.
Atlantic Beach completed a Coastal Vulnerability Assessment in 2019 that was updated in 2021..
Since then, state regulations have been introduced to standardize these assessments, Section
380.93 (F.S.). In addition, our modeling capabilities have significantly improved. In this 2025
update, projected SLR, nuisance flooding, and 100-year recurrence interval flood risk areas were
modeled for the 25- and 55-year future scenarios. These models were then used to assess
potential risks to property, structures, and infrastructure and to identify focus areas within the City.
A vulnerability assessment such as this is a key step in the adaptation planning process because
the findings are used to inform the strategies discussed in this Plan. Further, a vulnerability
assessment fulfills a statutory requirement for designating Adaptation Action Areas (AAAs) and
forms the scientific basis for complying with the “Peril of Flood” statutory requirement.
An Adaptation Plan identifies goals and strategies to best minimize risks and establishes a
process to implement those strategies. Becoming a more resilient community is not a one-time
process of planning and implementing. Rather, it is a continual process that will forever be a part
of the City’s future. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
the ultimate goal of an Adaptation Plan is to create coastal communities that are organized to
take action, have the tools to take action, and take action to plan for and adapt to the impacts of
SLR and climate change. This Adaptation Plan Update is the result of the first iteration of the
City’s adaptation planning process. This Plan contains general recommendations for adaptation
strategies to be applied to exposed areas of the City as well as a recommended implementation
schedule. Subsequent iterations of this living document will be completed after solicitation of
public input and will contain additional objective data, more specific strategies, and updated
implementation schedules as appropriate.
This project was made possible by a grant provided by the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (FDEP) Resilient Coastlines program and a Community Development Block Grant
Mitigation Program grant provided by the Florida Department of Commerce. City of Atlantic
Beach staff provided content along with technical support from Jones Edmunds & Associates,
Inc.
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Background
1.1 Location and History
The City of Atlantic Beach is one of three small coastal communities in northeast Florida that
make up the Beaches of Jacksonville. The City is approximately 4 square miles in size with a
population of around 14,000 and is between the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the San Pablo
Creek/Atlantic ICW on the west. Atlantic Beach is a near fully-developed municipality where the
predominant land use is residential consisting of stable and well-established neighborhoods.
As a low-lying coastal community, Atlantic Beach is especially vulnerable to flood risks as
experienced during Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Matthew, Tropical Storm Nicole and the November
2015 Nor’easter. Additionally, most of the City was developed before modern stormwater
regulations for flood protection, which has contributed to flooding issues in the City.
Understanding these existing and potential hazards, the City, with the assistance from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Coastline program, completed a
vulnerability assessment in 2019 and updates in 2021 and 2025, which will inform this Adaptation
Plan.
1.2 Sea-Level Rise (SLR) Trend
Scientists from around the world have been studying climate change and the resulting sea-level
rise (SLR) impacts for decades. Today, multiple sources of data are available to predict realistic
scenarios of future sea levels and their impacts on coastal communities. These projections are
generally based on global climate models (GCMs) that use assumptions regarding future human
behavior with respect to greenhouse gas emissions. On average, the sea level has risen globally
by approximately 8 inches since scientific recordkeeping began in 1880. This rate has increased
in recent decades to a little more than an inch per decade. Global average sea level has risen by
approximately 7 to 8 inches (16 to 21 centimeters [cm]) since 1900, with around 3 inches occurring
since 1993. In addition to the global average SLR, local SLR – sometimes called relative SLR –
happens at different rates in different places. Local SLR is affected by the global SLR, but also
by local land motions and the effects of tides, currents, and winds.
Figure 1-1 shows an increase in the global average sea level since 1880 in inches. The blue line,
which shows tide-gauge data, becomes steeper in more recent decades. This indicates an
increasing rate of change. The surrounding light-blue shaded area shows the upper and lower
95-percent confidence intervals, and the orange line shows sea level as measured by satellites
for comparison from 1993 through 2020 (US Global Change Research Program, 2017). As sea
levels have risen, the incidence of nuisance flooding or sunny day flooding during spring-tide
events at certain times of the year has increased five- to tenfold since the 1960s in several US
coastal cities, and rates of increase at over 25 long-term gage locations on the Atlantic and Gulf
coasts are accelerating. In Atlantic Beach, nuisance flooding resulting in overtopped roads is
occurring now in areas of Atlantic Beach such as Dutton Island Road and West Plaza. The closest
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) primary tidal gauge to Atlantic Beach
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is at the Mayport Bar Pilot’s Dock (NOAA tide gauge No. 8720218) near the ferry slip. Figure 1-2
depicts the relative change in sea level at the Mayport Bar Pilot’s Dock over the 95-year history
of this station. The current local rate of sea-level change is approximately 1 inch every decade
(https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/).
Although the rate of change in SLR is uncertain, sea level is certainly rising in our area. As sea
levels rise, incidents of nuisance flooding will increase, and flooding due to severe weather events
will affect larger areas of the City. To aid in planning and assessing the City’s potential vulnerability
under future scenarios with higher sea levels, the City conducted a rigorous technical analysis to
determine what those effects may be and how they will impact residents and critical infrastructure.
Figure 1-1 – Global Change in Sea Levels
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Figure 1-2 – Sea Level Trends at Mayport Bar Pilots Dock
1.3 Community Resilience
Resiliency is the ability to collaboratively prepare for, prevent, absorb, recover from, and more
equitably adapt for damage from chronic stressors (i.e., aging infrastructure and SLR) and
adverse events (i.e., hurricanes, coastal storms, and flooding). Resiliency in coastal communities
such as Atlantic Beach is especially important due to high population densities and coastal
hazards. A community that is informed and prepared will be more resilient and have a greater
opportunity to rebound quickly after an adverse event.
1.4 General Adaptation Planning
An Adaptation Plan is a sound and sensible method for Florida’s coastal communities to develop
and enhance their strategies for protecting coastal populations and infrastructure. An Adaptation
Plan identifies goals and strategies to best minimize risks and establishes a process to implement
those strategies. According to NOAA, the ultimate goal of an Adaptation Plan is to create coastal
communities that are organized to take action, have the tools to take action, and take action to
plan for and adapt to the impacts of SLR and climate change. A community can select from a
wide range of strategies in the following categories: Protection, Accommodation, Strategic
Relocation, Avoidance, and Procedural.
1.4.1 Protection
Protection strategies involve both hard and soft (gray or green) structurally defensive measures
to mitigate impacts of current and future flooding to maintain existing development. Examples
such as seawalls, revetments, and levees are examples of hard or gray protection strategies, and
examples such as beach renourishment and living shorelines are examples of soft or green
strategies.
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1.4.2 Accommodation
Accommodation strategies do not act as a barrier to inundation but rather alter the design,
construction, and use of structures to handle periodic flooding. Examples include elevating
structures above flood stage and stormwater retrofits that improve drainage or using natural
features to soak up or store water and runoff (i.e., green infrastructure).
1.4.3 Strategic Relocation
Strategic relocation strategies consist of relocating existing development to safer areas through
voluntary or incentivized measures. Examples include redevelopment regulations, home buyout
programs, and rolling easements.
1.4.4 Avoidance
Avoidance strategies involve guiding new development away from vulnerable areas to safer, more
appropriate areas. Such measures include transfer of development rights, land conservation, and
increased setbacks/buffers.
1.4.5 Procedural
Procedural strategies aim to generate vulnerability and adaptation information, increase
awareness of vulnerabilities and adaptation options, or incorporate such information into plans or
policies. Examples include vulnerability assessments, community outreach and education
activities, new Comprehensive Plan language addressing SLR, and real estate disclosures.
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Legal Context
2.1 Comprehensive Planning
Florida Statutes (F.S.) require every municipality in Florida to maintain a comprehensive plan,
which shall provide the principles, guidelines, standards and strategies for the orderly and
balanced future economic, social, physical, environmental, and fiscal development of the area…
(163.3177(1), F.S.). Comprehensive Plans contain different elements, some of which are required
by the state including a Future Land Use Element and a Conservation and Coastal Management
Element.
The Future Land Use Element, according to F.S., shall establish the long-term end toward which
land use programs and activities are ultimately directed. This and several additional statutes
provide a solid legal basis for adding to or revising the Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the
Future Land Use Element for adaptation purposes. For example, statutory provisions
discouraging urban sprawl address protecting and conserving natural resources such as
wetlands, beaches, and floodplains.
The Conservation and Coastal Management Element is required by F.S. to address SLR. Senate
Bill (SB) 1094, enacted in 2015, requires coastal localities to include a redevelopment component
within this element and specified that the principles, strategies, and engineering solutions
described in the redevelopment component must address flood risk arising from several sources,
including SLR. The redevelopment component is the logical place to include guidelines and
restrictions that do not take effect until they are triggered by an event, such as flooding of a
particular depth. SB 1094’s requirements provide communities with a good reason to adopt such
measures and also with a potent tool for inoculating restrictions on development against takings
claims.
Comprehensive Plans must be informed by analysis of relevant and appropriate data, which must
be gathered from professionally accepted sources or generated by the local government so long
as the methodologies for gathering data are professionally accepted. Florida law also requires
that changes to the Comprehensive Plan must be supported by analysis and that such analysis
must reflect reasonable and proportionate applications of the data cited. Scientific certainty is not
a required feature of supporting data or their analysis. This flexibility means that the City’s Coastal
Vulnerability Assessment will not operate as a floor or ceiling for planning purposes. If the City
refers to the Vulnerability Assessment as supporting particular language or parameters, the City
will only need to articulate a logical link between the Assessment and the action.
Planning timeframes also changed under SB 1094 in 2015 by allowing localities to incorporate
additional planning periods for specific components or projects rather than be limited to the 5- and
10-year periods previously required. This change has vital implications for Plans involving assets
or facilities whose useful life exceeds 10 years and whose location makes them vulnerable to
SLR. Local governments can now ensure SLR projections inform their Plans for such
infrastructure designs, planning restrictions, and capital investments. The University of Florida’s
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Conservation Clinic drafted model language to ensure adaptation planning employs an
appropriate timeframe:
Policy 1.2.1: [Planning Horizon] Utilize a (__) year planning horizon when considering the
adoption of any protection, accommodation, and managed retreat strategy within the
City/County.
The 2011 Comprehensive Planning Act authorized localities to designate Adaptation Action Areas
(AAAs), which are locations that experience coastal flooding due to extreme high tides and storm
surge and that are vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels. This designation is to
prioritize funding and planning in these vulnerable areas.
2.1 Litigation Risk
As SLR shifts the operations of local government, the result is potentially a double-edged sword
situation regarding litigation risk. If local governments act to address SLR, they could be sued by
property owners claiming injury from limitations on the property’s use or adverse effects to
property values. On the other hand, local governments could also be sued for failing to address
SLR.
The Takings Law protects private-property owners from government actions that fail to provide
them with just compensation for the condemnation or appropriation of their real property or for
regulations that deprive their real property of all or almost all of its use and economic value. In
Florida, two sources of Takings Law are available: the Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution
and the Bert Harris Private Property Rights Protection Act. The Takings Law can be complex and
unpredictable in its application to particular cases and the source of highly fact-specific legal
disputes.
Local governments will face challenges legally when implementing particular adaptation
strategies. However, many state and local governments already use a multitude of strategies to
manage development in their communities. By using existing strategies in new ways,
governments may be able to minimize the complexities of adaptation.
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Coastal Vulnerability
Given the location of the City of Atlantic Beach between the AICW and the Atlantic Ocean and its
relatively low elevation, certain areas of the City are particularly vulnerable to SLR. The City of
Atlantic Beach Coastal Vulnerability Assessment was completed in June 2019, updated in April
2021 to include City-owned water and wastewater infrastructure outside the City limits, and
updated in July 2025 to comply with data standards set in Section 380.093, F.S. The Vulnerability
Assessment identified areas of the City that may be subject to increased flooding due to SLR.
The Coastal Vulnerability Assessment also identified assets that could be impacted such as
buildings, residences, and critical infrastructure. This section describes the exposure of these
assets to SLR as well as their sensitivity to this exposure.
3.1 Exposure
For coastal flooding, exposure is defined as the impact to an asset from extreme coastal storm
flooding and nuisance flooding using the SLR scenarios identified in the Coastal Vulnerability
Assessment. Extreme coastal storm flooding in the context of this analysis are 100-year storm
events caused by a temporary increase in water levels due to a combination of high tides, storm
surge, waves, and rainfall. Nuisance flooding is defined as water levels expected at least once
per year that are 1 foot greater than the mean higher high-water level. Appendix A to this Plan
provides maps depicting exposure under these conditions for current and future scenarios.
The coastal flooding analysis completed for the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment included
flooding from storm surge as well as rain-induced flooding for predicted sea levels in 25, 50, and
100 years. The results of this analysis identified the potential exposure of property and critical
infrastructure within the study area to flooding during a 100-year storm event. Table 3-1 provides
the results of the exposure analysis for the 25- and 55-year scenarios.
Table 3-1 – Exposure of Property by Scenario
2050
Intermediate-
Low
Scenarios
Number of
Parcels
Impacted (% of
All Parcels)
Number of
Buildings on
Impacted
Parcels
Land Value of Impacted
Parcels
Building Value of
Impacted Parcels
Taxable Value of
Impacted Parcels
Nuisance
Flooding 625 (10%) 738 $290,351,970 $269,609,632 $282,169,878
Storm Surge 701 (11%) 803 $234,070,885 $224,527,108 $230,900,463
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2050
Intermediate
Scenarios
Number of
Parcels
Impacted (% of
All Parcels)
Number of
Buildings on
Impacted
Parcels
Land Value of Impacted
Parcels
Building Value of
Impacted Parcels
Taxable Value of
Impacted Parcels
Nuisance
Flooding 779 (12%) 667 $303,272,940 $280,466,531 $293,224,628
Storm Surge 776 (12%) 887 $255,644,673 $241,941,745 $248,670,883
2080
Intermediate-
Low
Scenarios
Number of
Parcels Impacted
(% of All Parcels)
Number of Buildings
on Impacted Parcels
Land Value of
Impacted Parcels
Building Value of
Impacted Parcels
Taxable Value of
Impacted Parcels
Nuisance
Flooding 842 (13%) 947 $360,909,500 $326,838,789 $340,582,741
Storm Surge 1,291 (21%) 1,200 $420,541,921 $356,443,699 $365,651,140
2080
Intermediate
Scenarios
Number of
Parcels Impacted
(% of All Parcels)
Number of Buildings
on Impacted Parcels
Land Value of
Impacted Parcels
Building Value of
Impacted Parcels
Taxable Value of
Impacted Parcels
Nuisance
Flooding 1,276 (20%) 1167 $489,165,039 $424,150,388 $439,807,776
Storm Surge 1,736 (27%) 1,833 $707,341,778 $589,529,782 $605,611,756
3.2 Sensitivity
Although the assets discussed above will potentially be exposed to flooding, some will be more
sensitive to exposure than others. In this context, sensitivity is how assets identified in the
exposure analysis respond or function during and after a flood impact. For example, a sewer
pump station can be sensitive to flood waters if the electrical components become inundated,
although a roadway that is flooded is less likely to suffer damage and is therefore less sensitive.
3.3 Ranking
The Coastal Vulnerability Assessment mapped critical assets within the City as well as water and
wastewater assets that the City of Atlantic Beach owns and operates, that are outside the City
limits. Tables 3-2, 3-3, and 3-4 were developed from this mapping data and summarize the
projected vulnerability of critical facilities for the 2050 and 2080 planning horizons.
The degree of exposure of each asset was then combined with a qualitative assessment of the
sensitivity and consequence of flooding of each exposed asset based on considerations unique
to each asset category. The resulting matrix and ranking of critical assets are depicted in
Table 3-5. Figure 3-1 graphically depicts the ranking of each critical roadway section identified in
Table 3-5.
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Table 3-2 – Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Tidal Flooding Scenarios
Asset Type
Total
Number of
Assets
Tidal Flooding Tidal Flood Days
Tidal MHHW+2'
Existing
Conditions
Tidal
MHHW+2' Int-
Low 2050
Tidal
MHHW+2' Int
2050
Tidal
MHHW+2' Int-
Low 2080
Tidal
MHHW+2' Int
2080
Tidal Flood Days
Existing
Tidal Flood
Days Int-Low
2050
Tidal Flood Days
Int 2050
Tidal Flood Days
Int-Low 2080
Tidal Flood Days
Int 2080
Affordable Public Housing 10 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Colleges and Universities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Community Centers 4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Conservation Lands 5 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Day Cares 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Disaster Debris Management Sites 3 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33%
Disaster Recovery Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Emergency Operation Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Fire Stations 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Health Care Facilities 10 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Historical Cultural Site 1 0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Law Enforcement Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Lift Stations 33 3% 6% 9% 18% 30% 3% 6% 9% 18% 30%
Local Government Facilities 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Logistical Staging Areas 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Parks 16 50% 50% 50% 50% 56% 50% 50% 50% 50% 56%
Radio Communications Towers 4 0% 25% 25% 25% 25% 0% 25% 25% 25% 25%
Risk Shelter Inventory 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Roads 83 0% 0% 1% 7% 16% 0% 0% 1% 7% 16%
Schools 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Solid and Hazardous Waste Facilities 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Surface Waters 38 47% 50% 50% 55% 66% 47% 50% 50% 55% 66%
Waste Water Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Water Supply Wells 6 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Water Treatment Plants 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Wetlands 109 83% 84% 84% 86% 90% 83% 84% 84% 86% 90%
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Table 3-3 –Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Rainfall Flooding Scenarios
Asset Type Total Number of
Assets
Rainfall Inundation
Rainfall 100-
YR/24-HR
Existing
Conditions
Rainfall 500-
YR/24-HR
Existing
Conditions
Rainfall 100-
YR/24-HR Int-
Low 2050
Rainfall 500-
YR/24-HR Int-
Low 2050
Rainfall 100-
YR/24-HR Int
2050
Rainfall 500-
YR/24-HR Int
2050
Rainfall 100-
YR/24-HR Int-
Low 2080
Rainfall 500-
YR/24-HR Int-
Low 2080
Rainfall 100-
YR/24-HR Int
2080
Rainfall 500-
YR/24-HR Int
2080
Affordable Public Housing 10 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Colleges and Universities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100%
Community Centers 4 0% 0% 0% 25% 0% 25% 0% 25% 25% 25%
Conservation Lands 5 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60% 60%
Day Cares 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Disaster Debris Management Sites 3 0% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33%
Disaster Recovery Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Emergency Operation Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100%
Fire Stations 1 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100%
Health Care Facilities 10 0% 0% 0% 10% 0% 10% 0% 20% 0% 20%
Historical Cultural Site 1 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Law Enforcement Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100% 0% 100%
Lift Stations 33 30% 42% 42% 42% 42% 45% 42% 48% 42% 48%
Local Government Facilities 3 0% 0% 0% 67% 0% 67% 0% 67% 33% 67%
Logistical Staging Areas 2 0% 0% 0% 50% 0% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50%
Parks 16 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 50% 56% 56%
Radio Communications Towers 4 0% 0% 0% 25% 0% 25% 0% 25% 25% 25%
Risk Shelter Inventory 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Roads 83 45% 54% 53% 55% 53% 57% 55% 58% 55% 58%
Schools 3 0% 0% 0% 67% 0% 67% 0% 67% 0% 100%
Solid and Hazardous Waste Facilities 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Surface Waters 38 63% 63% 63% 63% 63% 66% 63% 66% 63% 66%
Waste Water Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Water Supply Wells 6 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 17% 0% 17%
Water Treatment Plants 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 33% 0% 33%
Wetlands 109 36% 36% 36% 36% 36% 36% 36% 36% 36% 36%
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Table 3-4 – Percentage of Assets Flooded by Asset Type for Surge Flooding Scenarios
Asset Type Total Number of
Assets
Storm Surge Flooding (SWEL)
Storm Surge 100-YR Existing Conditions Storm Surge 100-YR Int-Low 2050 Storm Surge 100-YR Int 2050 Storm Surge 100-YR Int-Low 2080 Storm Surge 100-YR Int 2080
Affordable Public Housing 10 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Colleges and Universities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Community Centers 4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Conservation Lands 5 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Day Cares 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Disaster Debris Management Sites 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Disaster Recovery Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Emergency Operation Centers 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Fire Stations 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Health Care Facilities 10 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Historical Cultural Site 1 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Law Enforcement Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Lift Stations 33 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Local Government Facilities 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Logistical Staging Areas 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Parks 16 38% 38% 38% 50% 50%
Radio Communications Towers 4 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Risk Shelter Inventory 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Roads 83 13% 20% 24% 34% 47%
Schools 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Solid and Hazardous Waste Facilities 2 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Surface Waters 38 50% 58% 58% 58% 61%
Waste Water Facilities 1 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Water Supply Wells 6 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Water Treatment Plants 3 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Wetlands 109 84% 87% 87% 87% 88%
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Table 3-5 – Ranking of Exposed Roadway Segments
Segment
ID
Segment
Length
(ft) Asset Name
Regionally
Significant
Asset
Elevation
Exposure /
Sensitivity
Raw Score
Exposure /
Sensitivity
Score Environmental Social Economic
Flood Impact
Score
Regional
Significance Total Score
Priority
Rating
A1 949 MAIN ST No 9.39 18 0.45 0 5 5 6.7 0 3 Low
A2 517 MAIN ST No 7.95 81 2.025 0 5 5 6.7 0 13.5 High
A3 184 MAIN ST No 7.94 81 2.025 0 5 5 6.7 0 13.5 High
A4 326 MAIN ST No 6.9 54 1.35 0 5 5 6.7 0 9 Medium
A5 691 MAIN ST No 5.19 240 6 0 5 5 6.7 0 40 Highest
A6 695 MAIN ST No 6.48 72 1.8 0 5 5 6.7 0 12 High
A7 684 MAIN ST No 6.16 81 2.025 0 5 5 6.7 0 13.5 High
A8 696 MAIN ST No 5.35 114 2.85 0 5 5 6.7 0 19 High
A9 688 MAIN ST No 6.38 57 1.425 0 5 5 6.7 0 9.5 Medium
B1 650 DUTTON DR No 5.63 108 2.7 0 5 5 6.7 0 18 High
B2 1719 DUTTON DR No 9.24 36 0.9 0 5 5 6.7 0 6 Low
B3 425 CHURCH RD No 8.46 72 1.8 0 5 5 6.7 0 12 High
B4 925 CHURCH RD No 7.79 84 2.1 0 5 5 6.7 0 14 High
B5 647 DUTTON DR No 11.15 3 0.075 0 5 5 6.7 0 0.5 Lowest
C1 244 LEVY RD No 5.57 108 2.7 0 5 5 6.7 0 18 High
C2 250 LEVY RD No 6.38 48 1.2 0 5 5 6.7 0 8 Medium
C3 773 LEVY RD No 7.74 60 1.5 0 5 5 6.7 0 10 Medium
C4 2165 LEVY RD No 9.07 27 0.675 0 5 5 6.7 0 4.5 Low
E2 549 PLAZA DR No 8.31 60 1.5 0 5 5 6.7 0 10 Medium
E3 2427 PLAZA DR No 9.19 24 0.6 0 5 5 6.7 0 4 Low
E4 328 PLAZA DR No 7.68 30 0.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 5 Low
E5 624 PLAZA DR No 6.16 174 4.35 0 5 5 6.7 0 29 Highest
E6 2443 PLAZA DR No 7.97 66 1.65 0 5 5 6.7 0 11 Medium
F1 3586 SEMINOLE RD No 8.59 72 1.8 0 5 5 6.7 0 12 High
F2 836 SEMINOLE RD No 8.29 72 1.8 0 5 5 6.7 0 12 High
F3 1660 SEMINOLE RD No 9.55 36 0.9 0 5 5 6.7 0 6 Low
F4 442 SEMINOLE RD No 9.51 48 1.2 0 5 5 6.7 0 8 Medium
F5 803 SEMINOLE RD No 8.89 39 0.975 0 5 5 6.7 0 6.5 Low
F6 761 SEMINOLE RD No 8.1 45 1.125 0 5 5 6.7 0 7.5 Medium
F7 909 SEMINOLE RD No 7.62 66 1.65 0 5 5 6.7 0 11 Medium
F8 741 SEMINOLE RD No 7.88 45 1.125 0 5 5 6.7 0 7.5 Medium
F9 619 SEMINOLE RD No 8.53 30 0.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 5 Low
F10 969 SEMINOLE RD No 6.3 150 3.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 25 Highest
F11 213 SEMINOLE RD No 7.03 72 1.8 0 5 5 6.7 0 12 High
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F12 437 SEMINOLE RD No 7.62 30 0.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 5 Low
F13 809 SEMINOLE RD No 8.34 30 0.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 5 Low
F14 931 SEMINOLE RD No 8.48 10 0.25 0 5 5 6.7 0 1.666666667 Lowest
G1 1045
SELVA MARINA
DR No 5.29 168 4.2 0 5 5 6.7 0 28 Highest
G2 2967
SELVA MARINA
DR No 6.24 132 3.3 0 5 5 6.7 0 22 High
G3 6103
SELVA MARINA
DR No 5.27 210 5.25 0 5 5 6.7 0 35 Highest
G4 2096
SELVA MARINA
DR No 7.6 48 1.2 0 5 5 6.7 0 8 Medium
H1 2025 SHERRY DR No 6.24 150 3.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 25 Highest
H2 1185 SHERRY DR No 7.82 30 0.75 0 5 5 6.7 0 5 Low
I2 263 MAYPORT RD Yes 10.52 6 0.15 0 5 5 6.7 5 1.75 Lowest
I3 269 MAYPORT RD Yes 10 36 0.9 0 5 5 6.7 5 10.5 Medium
I4 283 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.51 54 1.35 0 5 5 6.7 5 15.75 High
I5 852 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.6 54 1.35 0 5 5 6.7 5 15.75 High
I11 250 MAYPORT RD Yes 8.93 18 0.45 0 5 5 6.7 5 5.25 Low
I12 252 MAYPORT RD Yes 8.44 36 0.9 0 5 5 6.7 5 10.5 Medium
I13 261 MAYPORT RD Yes 8.61 24 0.6 0 5 5 6.7 5 7 Medium
I16 738 MAYPORT RD Yes 7.9 12 0.3 0 5 5 6.7 5 3.5 Low
J3 587 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.55 54 1.35 0 5 5 6.7 5 15.75 High
J4 278 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.8 36 0.9 0 5 5 6.7 5 10.5 Medium
J5 272 MAYPORT RD Yes 10.35 18 0.45 0 5 5 6.7 5 5.25 Low
J9 257 MAYPORT RD Yes 8.84 3 0.075 0 5 5 6.7 5 0.875 Lowest
J10 308 MAYPORT RD Yes 8.52 6 0.15 0 5 5 6.7 5 1.75 Lowest
J11 38 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.01 3 0.075 0 5 5 6.7 5 0.875 Lowest
J12 240 MAYPORT RD Yes 9.03 3 0.075 0 5 5 6.7 5 0.875 Lowest
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Figure 3-1 – Critical Roadway Segment Ranking
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3.4 Public Input
The City conducted a public input meeting during the development of the Coastal Vulnerability
Assessment to discuss the technical approach to assessing vulnerability, present the findings of
the Assessment, and solicit public comments and concerns relating to current and future coastal
flooding. Input from the Environmental Stewardship Committee was solicited at their March 12
and June 11 meetings.
The City presented the information to the City Commission on June 16, 2025 and conducted a
public input meeting regarding adaptation planning and resiliency on June 26, 2025, to solicit
input from the public and respond to comments and concerns.
In addition to local City of Atlantic Beach public meetings regarding vulnerability and adaptation
planning, City staff worked closely with the City of Jacksonville (COJ) and participated in the City’s
Adaptation Action Area Working Group, Storm Resilience and Infrastructure Development Review
Committee, and the City Council Special Committee on Resilience.
3.5 Local Priorities
The adopted 2021 priorities of the City Commission relating to adaptation planning include the
following:
• Continue efforts to understand the potential impacts of local SLR and work towards
improving community resilience.
• Update/adopt a long-term capital improvement plan (CIP) to include adaptation, resiliency,
and stormwater.
• Ensure equitable spending throughout the community.
• Continue to foster productive partnerships with neighboring municipalities and state and
local agencies.
The City is also actively working to protect natural areas that may improve storm defenses and
supports the continued reauthorization of the Duval County Shore Protection Project (DCSPP)
that results in periodic beach renourishment.
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Adaptation Strategies
4.1 Range of Adaptation Strategies
Adaptation strategies can be implemented through regulations, policies, or capital projects and
integrated into existing or new plans such as Comprehensive Plans, post-disaster redevelopment
plans, CIPs, and in this case, Adaptation Plans. Adaptation strategies can be implemented to
reduce exposure, reduce sensitivity, or increase adaptive capacity. The following sections
describe these adaptation strategy categories and provide examples of general strategies within
each category.
4.1.1 Reducing Exposure
In the context of SLR, exposure refers to the likelihood and timing of when an asset might
experience flooding due to the combination of SLR and extreme rainfall and/or coastal surge
events. The goal of exposure-reducing adaptation strategies is to reduce or eliminate the chances
of an asset experiencing flooding in the future. This requires removing the asset from the future
floodplain or altering the drainage system to limit future water levels during extreme events. Table
4-1 provides a qualitative comparison of common strategies that could be effective for reducing
asset exposure to future flooding in the City.
Table 4-1 – Comparison of Exposure Reduction Strategies
Adaptation Strategy Implementation
Cost
Environmental
Impact
Societal
Impact
Construction
Feasibility Service Life
Retreat from Vulnerable Areas
Land Acquisition/Conservation
Seawall Improvements
Stormwater Improvements
(i.e., check valves, dams, pumps)
Raising Critical Infrastructure
(i.e., roads, buildings)
Coastal Dune Maintenance
Marsh/Vegetative Buffer
Maintenance
*Note: Green shaded boxes indicate strategies with lower costs, minimal environmental/societal impacts, relatively simple
implementation, or longer service life. Yellow shaded boxes indicate strategies with moderate costs, some environmental/socie tal
impacts, complex but feasible implementation, or moderate service life. Red shaded boxes indicate strategies with high costs,
significant environmental/societal impacts, extremely complex implementation, or short service life.
4.1.2 Reducing Sensitivity
Sensitivity refers to the degree to which an asset’s functionality is affected by exposure to a
hazard. In this case, the hazard is flooding and the goal of sensitivity-reducing adaptation
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strategies is to reduce or eliminate impacts that flooding has on an asset’s ability to function during
or immediately after flooding. Table 4-2 qualitatively compares common strategies that could be
effective for reducing asset sensitivity to future flooding in the City.
Table 4-2 – Comparison of Sensitivity Reduction Strategies
Adaptation Strategy Implementation
Cost
Environmental
Impact
Societal
Impact
Construction
Feasibility Service Life
Flood Proofing Water/Sewer
Infrastructure
Flood Proofing Emergency
Service Operations (Police,
Fire, City Hall)
Flood Proofing Businesses
and Homes
Flood Recovery Strategies to
Reduce Flood Durations
Backup Power Generation
for Critical Services (Water,
Sewer, Emergency Services)
*Note: Green shaded boxes indicate strategies with lower costs, minimal environmental/societal impacts, relatively simple
implementation, or longer service life. Yellow shaded boxes indicate strategies with moderate costs, some environmental/socie tal
impacts, complex but feasible implementation, or moderate service life. Red shaded boxes indicate strategies with high costs,
significant environmental/societal impacts, extremely complex, or short service life.
4.1.3 Increasing Adaptive Capacity
Adaptive capacity is the ability to adjust to or live with the impacts of SLR and changes in extreme
storm events. The adaptive capacity of existing infrastructure is often fairly confined to its inherent
ability to be adjusted, so increasing the adaptive capacity of existing infrastructure is challenging.
Strategies for increasing the adaptive capacity of a community are forward-looking and involve
policies, regulations, and strategies to enhance the adaptability of a community. The following are
examples of strategies to enhance adaptive capacity:
• Public Outreach and Education – As residents become more aware of future SLR and its
associated flood risks, they will be more likely to support local adaptation efforts and will
have the opportunity to make educated decisions that have positive impacts on the
adaptability of the community.
• CIP – Local governments may choose to consider future flooding risks when developing
projects in their CIP or discourage investment in projects that may be vulnerable to flood
risks. The local government may also discontinue maintenance and repairs to
infrastructure that is repetitively damaged and relocate or retrofit existing infrastructure to
be more flood resilient.
• Pursuing Funding for Adaptation Projects – Implementing adaptation strategies can be
very expensive. Several federal and state grant funding programs exist that can provide
funds for implementing adaptation strategies.
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• Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) – This strategy is meant to limit or reduce
development within vulnerable areas by allowing one property owner to sever
development rights in exchange for compensation from another property owner who would
like their development rights to increase. The receiving area is then allowed to have
increased density or dwelling units per acre. A TDR program serves as an incentive for a
property owner to avoid developing on vulnerable property by providing compensation for
lost privileges.
• Cluster Development – Cluster development encourages developers to concentrate
development in upland/desirable areas on a tract of land while preserving/avoiding
vulnerable areas, which maximizes protection of future structures, preserves vulnerable
areas, and often saves developers money.
• Setbacks and Buffers – Setbacks and buffers are building restrictions that establish a
distance from a boundary line where landowners are prohibited from building structures.
These are regulatory tools that can be established through zoning and floodplain codes
or conservation easements and serve to protect existing or new structures and inhabitants
by allowing inland migration of shorelines and preservation of wetlands, dunes, estuaries,
and other environmentally sensitive areas.
• Conservation Easements – A conservation easement is a strategy used by local
governments for the permanent conservation of private lands by placing a limitation on the
uses and/or allowable amount of development on a property to protect its associated
resources while allowing the owner to live, retain, and develop the property with limited
use. The easement can apply to all or a portion of a property. Usually, a conservation
easement preserves a portion of property in its natural state.
• Floodplain Regulations – Floodplain regulations are a tool that a coastal community could
amend to impose additional restrictions on development in floodplains above the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) minimum standards, such as use restrictions within the
100-year floodplain areas (only allow limited residential, recreational, or agricultural uses),
and/or impose design requirements in the 500-year floodplain areas that are currently not
required (elevation requirements).
• Building Codes and Standards – Building codes establish minimum requirements for
building construction. Under the Florida Building Code Act, all local codes were replaced
by the Florida Building Code in 2002. However, local governments may adopt more
stringent regulations where local conditions warrant. Additional regulations governing
construction include flood-protection regulations pursuant to NFIP and the state Coastal
Construction Control Line (CCCL) permitting standards. A coastal community may
evaluate applying flood-resistant code standards to currently unregulated areas that may
be vulnerable to flooding in the future, such as the 500-year floodplain.
• Redevelopment Standards – Redevelopment standards are regulatory tools a community
can use to limit, or even in some cases prohibit, what is allowed to be rebuilt on a property
that has been damaged or destroyed by natural hazards. Communities can limit
redevelopment of repetitive loss structures and/or other storm-damaged structures in
highly vulnerable areas.
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• Real Estate Disclosures – Governmental bodies (e.g., state or local agencies) could
compile data, erosion maps, inundation models, and other relevant information and make
this information accessible to potential property buyers and developers. Governments
could require sellers to disclose to potential buyers that a property is in an area vulnerable
to flooding.
4.2 Focus Areas for Adaptation
Predicted SLR over the next 25 years has a fair degree of certainty and less certainty beyond
that. From a planning perspective and given increasing uncertainty over time, the City’s
adaptation planning efforts will focus on the 25-year time horizon with consideration given to the
55-year predictions. Based on the exposure and sensitivity analyses over these timeframes, the
focus areas identified for adaptation planning are provided below.
4.2.1 Citywide
The City of Atlantic Beach is considered by COJ to be in an AAA. As discussed in Section 2.1,
the 2011 Comprehensive Planning Act authorized localities to designate AAAs, which are
locations that experience coastal flooding due to extreme high tides and storm surge and that are
vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels. COJ opted to define AAAs in Duval County
as areas that are subject to inundation from a 500-year flood event or a Category 3 hurricane
storm surge. NOAA predicts that virtually all of the City of Atlantic Beach could be inundated by a
Category 3 storm; hence, the entire City is considered to be in an AAA.
Although no return interval is assigned to a Category 3 storm, unlike a 100-year flood event, the
entire community can still be considered to have potential exposure. Accordingly, all of the City
of Atlantic Beach is considered to be a focus area for adaptation primarily from a planning and
policy perspective.
4.2.2 Areas West of Mayport Road
As indicated by the future 100-year flood maps shown in Figure 4-1, many residential and
commercial areas west of Mayport Road are predicted to be impacted from rising sea levels.
These areas are expected to be subject to the chronic condition of nuisance flooding and an
increasing likelihood of inundation due to storm surge and rainfall-induced flooding during a
100-year storm event. Figure 4-2 depicts the expected extent of flooding due to the 100-year
storm event in 2050.
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Figure 4-1 – Combined Flooding for the 100-Year Storm Event Under 2050 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions West
of Mayport Road
4.2.3 Major Drainageways
East of Mayport Road, minimizing the extent and duration of flood events depends largely on the
ability of the major drainageways to manage the stormwater runoff discharging into them.
Adaptation measures will be required to ensure that the major drainageways function properly
and will not be adversely impacted by rising sea levels.
Figure 4-2 shows that the major drainageways serving the City include Hopkins Creek, Sherman
Canal, Puckett Creek, and Sherman Creek.
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Figure 4-2 – Major Drainageways
4.2.4 Roadways
As discussed in Section 3, many of the major ingress and egress routes from the City may be
affected by rising sea levels. These roadways will be considered a focus area for adaptation
planning. The two busiest roads in the City are Mayport Road and Atlant ic Boulevard. Both
roadways are managed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), not the City of
Atlantic Beach.
4.2.5 Critical Utility Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure that will be a focus area for adaptation planning to include numerous lift
stations, two of the City’s water plants, and four potable water wells.
4.2.6 Critical Public Facilities
Public facilities expected to be exposed to future flooding conditions will also be focus areas for
adaptation planning efforts. These include City Hall, the Police and Fire Departments, and several
of the City’s community centers.
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4.3 Current Strategies and Existing Regulations
Assessing existing strategies and regulations is recommended by the FDEP before identifying
adaptation strategies and recommendations. This includes looking at the City’s current plans,
development regulations, and other initiatives that may be used or modified for adaptation
purposes.
4.3.1 Existing Plans
Coastal Vulnerability Assessment
This assessment used existing and projected conditions to model 25-, 50-, and 100-year
scenarios for SLR and future flood hazards. The models were then used to identify
vulnerable areas, properties, and infrastructure.
2018 Stormwater Master Plan Update
This update built on the previous 1995, 2002, and 2012 plans and modeled existing and
projected hydrologic conditions within the City, including recommended stormwater
improvement projects in identified locations.
2045 Comprehensive Plan
In 2019, the City updated the Comprehensive Plan to comply with the Peril of Flood
statute, which required local governments to incorporate SLR planning into their
redevelopment policies. In addition, the Plan contains numerous goals, objectives, and
policies related to adaptation.
4.3.2 Existing Development Regulations
Finished Floor Elevation (FFE)
All lots and building sites shall be developed so that habitable space is constructed at a
minimum FFE of 8.5 feet above mean sea level or with 2.5 feet of freeboard (above the
base flood elevation), whichever is greater.
Base Flood Elevations
Development that encroaches into a regulated floodway must demonstrate that the
development will not cause any increase in base flood elevations.
Floodplain Storage
Development within the 100-year floodplain must create storage onsite to mitigate for any
filling of volume onsite to accomplish no net loss of storage.
Onsite Storage of Stormwater
Development which increases the impervious surface on a site by more than 400 square
feet must provide onsite storage of stormwater.
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Impervious Surface Area
In 2019, the maximum impervious surface area for properties within residential zoning
districts was reduced from 50 to 45 percent.
Grading and Drainage
All development sites must be graded so that stormwater drains to the adjacent street,
existing natural element, or a City drainage structure after meeting on-site stormwater
storage requirements. Except as required to meet coastal construction codes or as
required to meet applicable flood zone or stormwater regulations, the elevation or
topography of a development site shall not be altered.
Wetland Mitigation
Any impacted wetlands on a development site must be replaced elsewhere on the site or
within the City so that no net loss of jurisdictional wetlands occurs within the City.
Wetland Buffer
New development must maintain a 50-foot buffer from jurisdictional wetlands adjacent to
water bodies connected to the (ICW) and a 25-foot buffer from other jurisdictional
wetlands. This buffer is reduced to 25 feet for single-family lots platted before 2002.
Special Planned Area (SPA)
An SPA zoning district may be applied for or required by the City where a proposed
development has unique characteristics or special environmental features. This zoning
district provides flexibility and creates opportunities for preservation (i.e., cluster
development).
4.3.3 Current Initiatives
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Community Rating System (CRS)
The City participates in the CRS program, which provides reductions in flood insurance
premiums for cities that implement activities that exceed the minimum criteria for FEMA’s
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification
The City of Atlantic Beach became LEED for Cities certified in 2019. Cities with this
certification aim to ensure a more sustainable future by creating a healthier environment.
Urban Forestry
Since 2019, over 800 trees have been planted in public spaces throughout the City.
Additionally, the City is working to strengthen its tree protection ordinance to preserve and
regenerate the urban canopy.
Street Sweeping and Stormwater Inlet Cleaning
Street sweeping and inlet cleaning help reduce localized flooding by removing debris that
blocks drainage infrastructure.
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Vulnerable Property Acquisition
Multiple properties have been purchased by the City over the years for preservation
purposes including the Tide Views, Dutton Island, and River Branch Preserves. The City
purchased Selva Preserve and an approximately 2-acre parcel west of Lily Street
providing preservation of wetlands, maintenance of stormwater storage capacity, and
storm-surge protection for adjacent properties. Additionally, the property at the eastern
end of Dora Drive was purchased in 2024 with plans to use the parcel as a stormwater
storage pond.
Duval County Shore Protection Project (DCSPP)
The DCSPP, which is the federal program established for beach renourishment, is critical
to maintenance and restoration of beach and dune systems, providing protection to the
Atlantic Ocean coastline in Duval County.
4.4 Recommended Strategies for Focus Areas
The following adaptation strategies have been developed for the identified vulnerable focus areas
within the study area. These recommendations and associated timeframes are based on best
available information and shall be updated as new information becomes available or additional
adaptation strategies are identified.
4.4.1 Citywide
The following relate to recommended changes and updates of policies, ordinances, etc. to better
help the City manage and adapt to changing vulnerability and flooding potential throughout the
City. These apply to the chronic stressor of SLR and the acute stressor of a major storm event.
➢ Ensure that every CIP implemented by the City is examined through the lens of resilience.
➢ Review building and zoning codes of other Florida cities and counties for resilience and
adaptation-related elements and determine if the City of Atlantic Beach’s building and
zoning codes should be updated to reflect similar elements.
➢ Craft policies that do not disincentivize property owners from making repairs and
renovations for resiliency purposes because such repairs may currently trigger a
requirement for full compliance with all current codes.
➢ Reinforce the value of trees for absorbing stormwater runoff.
➢ Explore ways to disclose flood zone and prior flooding information on real estate
transactions and lease agreements.
➢ Establish education and public engagement tools such as user-friendly websites,
newsletters, social media platforms, and resource guides to reach diverse audiences.
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➢ Establish a community relief center to enable and assist citizens to deal with stressors
related to water inundation.
➢ Keep shorelines natural by implementing a 6-foot low-maintenance buffer (no mowing,
fertilizer, pesticide, or herbicide application) along public lands adjacent to waterways and
drainage ditches. This should also be encouraged along waterways on private property
through education and outreach.
➢ Partner with COJ, Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT), and the US Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) to develop a program for the beneficial reuse of dredged material
through Thin Layer Placement (TLP), or other methods of strategic placement. This may
be especially important to the City’s marsh system. TLP may help to build the marsh up
ahead of SLR and prevent marsh areas from converting to open waters, resulting in a
reduction of wave energy reaching the upland shoreline.
➢ Work with COJ to establish an outreach program to provide voluntary property vulnerability
assessments in vulnerable areas of the City. Provide property owners with suggested
adaptation actions they may wish to undertake to increase resiliency to SLR, storm surge,
and extreme tides while simultaneously providing habitat and water-quality benefits.
➢ Map riparian areas and coastal dune systems subjected to invasive species (i.e., Brazilian
Pepper), develop a program to eradicate species on public property, and provide guidance
to owners of infested private properties. Invasive species often do not provide the degree
of protection from erosion and wave attenuation that native species do.
➢ Ensure that DCSPP remains funded and provides for continuous beach and dune
restoration on an as-needed basis.
➢ Incorporate US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Green Streets concepts such as
green infrastructure and drainage into medians, sidewalks, and landscaped areas during
the planning and design of roadway transportation projects.
➢ Seek state and federal assistance, when available, to help pay for removing remaining
septic tanks on the west side of the City, and work with COJ for removing septic tanks
within the Public Utilities service area that fall outside the City’s limits.
➢ Incentivize low-impact design (LID) practices. LID can include rain gardens, recessed
planting beds, bio-swales, green roofs, or simply planning for a greater pervious surface
in site design.
➢ Review minimum off-street parking requirements. Today, off-street parking minimums for
residential and commercial developments artificially inflate the number of parking spaces;
therefore, impervious surface areas must be developed. This contributes to the amount of
stormwater runoff generated from developments and increases flooding potential,
especially in areas that do not have space to add stormwater ponds.
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➢ Consider revising minimum FFEs for areas in a 500-year flood zone on the current FEMA
Flood Insurance Rate Map. The extents of a 500-year flood event are similar to the
predicted extents of a 100-year flood event in 2050. Minimum FFEs in these areas could
be revised to 2.5 feet above the nearest adjacent 100-year base flood elevation to provide
for future protection. Building height limitations in these areas could also be revised to be
based on the required FFE, similar to Section 24-90(a) of the City’s Land Development
Regulations and Section 8-53(1)(a) of the city’s floodplain ordinance. The current
minimum FFE in an area impacted by a 100-year flood event (Special Flood Hazard Area)
is 2.5 feet above the base flood elevation.
These recommendations are primarily near-term recommendations (i.e., within 12 months). A
specific implementation schedule should be developed to further prioritize, evaluate, refine, and
consider for implementation.
4.4.2 Areas West of Mayport Road
As verified by the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, the marsh-facing areas west of Mayport
Road will be particularly vulnerable to flooding events given higher sea levels in the future. Many
residents in this area are already impacted by nuisance flooding that is projected to get worse.
➢ Commission a study within the next 12 to 36 months to evaluate the most cost-effective
means of protecting this area of the City. This evaluation should result in the development
of a 25-year plan for managing nuisance flooding and storm surge in this area to maximize
protection of affected residential and commercial properties, critical facilities, and
infrastructure and roadways. The plan should include implementation triggers, expected
timeframes, and probable costs for proposed improvements.
Improvements that are expected to be evaluated include but are not limited to the
following:
o Strategically raising centerline road elevations to protect inland properties.
o Installing check valves in drainage ditches to prevent storm surges from entering
inland areas.
o Extending water and sewer utilities where needed to ensure continuity of service.
o Raising vulnerable structures to a safe elevation.
o Identifying and conserving properties strategically located along the marsh edge to
maintain or develop the ability to reduce wave impacts on the immediately adjacent
upland areas.
o Evaluate the rate and extent of marsh erosion and develop plans to stem the loss of
marsh and commensurate loss of storm protection benefits.
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A preliminary screening level review was completed to identify improvement concepts
and general locations that could be considered in future studies for protecting the areas
west of Mayport Road.
o Raise Camelia Street between 1st Street and 6th Street, 6th Street between
Camelia Street and Jasmine Street, and Jasmine Street from 6th Street to
approximately 350 feet north of 6th Street out of the 100-year surge floodplain.
This concept may require upsizing of the stormwater collection system and
includes installing backflow prevention systems on the stormwater outfalls. This
improvement could provide protection for the properties and City roadways east
of Camelia Street from a 100-year storm surge flood event.
o Raise 6th Street between Jasmine Street and Begonia Street and Begonia Street
from 6th Street to approximately 450 feet north of 6th Street above the projected
2050 high-tide flood elevation. This improvement could protect Begonia Street
and properties east of Begonia Street from future high-tide/nuisance flooding.
o Construct a backflow prevention system and stormwater pump station in the ditch
in the open right-of-way on Camelia Street between 9th Street and 14th Street.
This system could protect the City roadways and properties east of Camelia
Street from the 100-year storm surge flood event.
o Raise Main Street between 9th Street and 14th Street out of the 100-year storm
surge elevation and install backflow prevention on the cross-culverts in the ditch
under main street. This improvement may require up-sizing the cross-culverts
under Main Street to ensure that rainfall induced flooding in the area is not
worsened. This improvement could protect Main Street and the City roadways
and properties east of Main Street from the 100-year storm surge.
o Raise West Plaza Street west of Tulip Street and Gladiola Street above the high-
tide/nuisance flood elevation. This improvement could reduce the amount of
nuisance flooding experienced on these roadways and improve ingress/egress
for residents during flood conditions.
o Raise West Plaza Street between Tulip Street and Begonia Street and Tulip
Street from West Plaza Street to approximately 200 feet south of West Plaza
Street above the high-tide/nuisance flood elevation. This improvement could
reduce the amount of nuisance flooding experienced on these roadways and
improve ingress/egress for residents during flood conditions.
➢ Update the marsh study completed in 2025 every 5 years.
4.4.3 Major Drainageways
Of significant importance to the City of Atlantic Beach residents east of Mayport Road is the
performance of the major drainageways during severe storm events. Performance of these
systems is crucial regarding limiting the extent and duration of a flooding event. The City
completed a Stormwater Master Plan Update in 2018 and staff have been implementing the
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recommendations in this plan as funding allows. The Stormwater Master Plan is expected to be
updated again in 2025/2026.
The Coastal Vulnerability Assessment resulted in the prediction of future flooding associated with
SLR and continued redevelopment within the City. This work was completed subsequent to the
Stormwater Master Plan Update; therefore, the potential impacts from SLR are currently not
wholly reflected in the 10-year CIP. The 2025/2026 Stormwater Master Plan update will add the
following:
➢ Initiate a study to evaluate the major drainageway projects included in the current
stormwater CIP regarding increased flooding due to SLR. This study should include
developing a plan of action to account for these future conditions. This process will ensure
that all major drainage infrastructure projects and improvements can be adapted to future
conditions and will be complementary to potential future projects, such as stormwater
pump stations, that may become necessary as sea level and flooding conditions change.
➢ Develop a 50-year plan for managing the major drainageways to maximize protection of
affected residential and commercial properties, critical facilities, infrastructure, and
roadways. This plan should include a local, COJ, state, and federal agency coordination
plan, implementation triggers, expected timeframes, and probable costs for proposed
improvements.
The 2018 Stormwater Master Plan Update and subsequent Coastal Vulnerability Assessment
concluded that the box culvert on State Road A1A at Puckett Creek is severely undersized and
contributes to poor performance of the Puckett Creek and Sherman Canal watersheds. This
culvert is outside the City limits and is owned by FDOT; therefore, the City of Atlantic Beach has
no jurisdiction over it. However, the City has initiated discussions with FDOT regarding upsizing
the box culvert to improve drainage. City staff must continue communicating with FDOT and
lobbying for the culvert’s replacement.
Hopkins Creek and Sherman Creek Adaptation Strategies for Future Consideration
Results from the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment show that residential and commercial
properties are vulnerable to widespread rainfall and storm surge driven flooding along Hopkins
Creek and Sherman Creek under existing conditions. Flood conditions on these drainageways
will continue to worsen with rising sea levels and more frequent extreme rainfall events. Large-
scale long-term adaptation strategies will need to be implemented for these drainageways to
reduce existing flood conditions and/or prevent them from worsening in the future.
Hopkins Creek and Sherman Creek are influenced by tidal and storm surge conditions. To
protect these areas from flooding in the future, the City will likely need to construct backflow
prevention systems with high-capacity stormwater pump stations. Detailed feasibility studies will
be required to identify the exact locations for these systems, how big they will need to be, and
determine how much they will cost to implement. A screening level review was completed for
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this Adaptation Plan to identify concepts and general locations that could be considered in
future studies for protecting these critical drainageways.
For Hopkins Creek, the following locations and concepts were identified:
➢ Purchase the parcel at 1401 Atlantic Boulevard, demolish the existing structures on the
parcel, and construct a stormwater pond with a pump station. Flow from Hopkins Creek
north of Atlantic Boulevard would be diverted into the pond. Water would exit the pond
through gravity flow under lower tide conditions and be pumped out when tides are
elevated. Construction of a stormwater pond with the pump station will provide additional
attenuation volume in the system and reduce the required pump capacity.
➢ Construct a backflow prevention system on the Hopkins Creek box culverts at Atlantic
Boulevard and construct a high-capacity stormwater pump station on the north side of
Atlantic Boulevard that discharges downstream of the Atlantic Boulevard box culverts.
For Sherman Creek, the following locations and concepts were identified:
➢ Construct a backflow prevention system on the Sherman Creek box culverts at Mayport
Road and construct a high-capacity stormwater pump station on the east side of Mayport
Road that discharges downstream of the Mayport Road box culverts.
➢ Construct a backflow prevention system in the ditch at the north end of Selva Marina
Drive with a stormwater pump station that discharges into the wetland system west of
Selva Marina Drive. Install backflow prevention on the existing stormwater outfall pipes
that discharge into Sherman Creek at Saturiba Drive, Country Club Lane, and 11th
Street. The intent of this system is to provide flood protection for the City east of Selva
Marina Drive.
➢ Construct a backflow prevention system on the box culverts under the entrance of Fleet
Landing at 20th Street with a stormwater pump station that discharges into the wetland
north of the Fleet Landing entrance. This improvement would also require constructing a
flood wall to prevent backflow through Fleet Landing in the future conditions 100-year
surge scenarios.
As documented in the 2018 Stormwater Master Plan Update, Hopkins Creek between Atlantic
Boulevard and Plaza has experienced significant and repeated rainfall driven flooding in recent
years. The 2018 Stormwater Master Plan Update identified several stormwater system
improvements that the City has been working on implementing as budgets and grant funding have
allowed. This area should continue to be studied to identify additional improvements that could
reduce rainfall driven flooding. A screening level review was completed for this Adaptation Plan
to identify concepts that could be considered in future studies for reducing rainfall driven flooding
in this area.
➢ Construct a new outfall pipe along Plaza, 12th Street, and Orchid Street to divert
stormwater runoff from Hopkins Creek north of Plaza to the existing stormwater ditch
between 14th Street and 9th Street west of Mayport Road. The existing ditch discharges
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west into the ICW and has existing culvert crossings at Hibiscus Street and Main Street
that would likely need to be upsized.
➢ Construct a new outfall pipe from the ditch between Saratoga Circle North and Forrestal
Circle South that discharges west into the ICW. This would divert stormwater runoff from
the area west of Aquatic Drive between Plaza and Atlantic Boulevard away from Hopkins
Creek.
As sea levels continue to rise, tidally driven nuisance flooding will continue to worsen and
become a problem in lower-lying areas along the Hopkins Creek and Sherman Creek
drainageways. Where feasible, the primary method for reducing the impact of nuisance flooding
is installing backflow prevention on stormwater pipes. A screening-level review was completed
to identify locations where backflow prevention could be installed at the downstream ends of
collection system pipes to reduce nuisance flooding under existing and projected future
conditions tidal flooding.
The locations identified for potential backflow prevention on Hopkins Creek are:
➢ The 24-inch outfall pipe on Aquatic Drive approximately 450 north of the centerline of
Atlantic Boulevard. Aquatic Drive has roadway elevations below the existing tidal flood
elevation. Therefore, tidal flooding could be reduced for the existing conditions.
➢ The 29-inch-by-45-inch outfall pipe from Aquatic Drive into the Aquatic Drive pond.
Aquatic Drive has roadway elevations below the existing tidal flood elevation. Therefore,
tidal flooding could be reduced for the existing conditions.
➢ The double 24-inch pipes under the entrance road to Lift Station F. Tidal flooding
upstream of the pipes is minimal for the existing conditions, but is predicted to increase
significantly by 2050.
➢ The 29-inch-by-45-inch Skate Road outfall pipe between Cutlass Drive and Cavalla
Road that discharges into the Skate Road ditch. Tidal flooding upstream of the pipe is
minimal for existing conditions, but is predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
➢ The 34-inch-by-53-inch Cavalla Road outfall pipe that discharges into the Skate Road
ditch. Tidal flooding upstream of the pipe is minimal for the existing conditions, but is
predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
➢ The 38-inch-by-60-inch and 42-inch outfall pipes from the stormwater pond at the
Atlantic Beach Dog Park that discharge into Hopkins Creek. Tidal flooding upstream of
the pipe is minimal for the existing conditions, but is predicted to increase significantly by
2050.
The locations identified for potential backflow prevention on Sherman Creek are:
➢ The 48-inch outfall pipe from Pine Street that discharges into Sherman Creek at the
south end of Howell Park. Tidal flooding upstream of the pipe is minimal for the existing
conditions, but is predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
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➢ The 30-inch outfall pipe from the Sevilla Condominiums stormwater pond that
discharges into Sherman Creek. Tidal flooding upstream of the pipe is minimal for the
existing conditions, but is predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
➢ The 30-inch outfall pipe at the west end of Saturiba Drive that discharges into Sherman
Creek. Tidal flooding upstream of the pipe is minimal for the existing conditions, but is
predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
➢ The 4-foot-by-7-foot box culvert crossing under 20th Street between Brista De Mar Circle
and Garden Lane. Tidal flooding occurs upstream of this culvert on Creekside Circle
under the existing conditions and is predicted to increase significantly by 2050.
Alternatively, the City could consider installing backflow prevention measures at larger
downstream culvert crossings in Hopkins Creek and Sherman Creek to reduce tidal and storm
surge-driven flooding in the creeks. For Hopkins Creek, installing these measures could be
effective at the box-culvert crossing under Atlantic Boulevard and for Sherman Creek it could be
effective at the Mayport Road box-culvert crossing. Backflow systems considered at these
locations could include amil gates, floating water control weirs, and flap gates, but additional
studies and analysis would be needed to determine the best options and locations.
The Dora Drive and Stanley Road area was identified as flood-prone in the 2018 Stormwater
Master Plan Update. Outfall pipe improvements were proposed in the Master Plan Update for
this area and the City is moving forward with plans to construct the improvements. Since the
Master Plan Update was completed, the City purchased vacant land at the east end of Dora
Drive with the intent of constructing a stormwater pond to further reduce flooding in the area.
The City is currently pursuing grant funding to design and construct the stormwater pond and
should continue moving forward with design and construction as funding allows.
4.4.4 Roadways
The roadways evaluated as part of this effort include major ingress and egress roads within the
City limits, excluding Atlantic Boulevard and Mayport Road, which are controlled by FDOT. The
ranking presented in Section 3.3 provides a roadmap in order of importance regarding each
vulnerable road segment. Recommendations related to these roadway segments are as follows:
➢ Review the current pavement management plan and update it as necessary to reflect the
roadway segment ranking within the next 12 months.
➢ Before repaving or making major improvements to any vulnerable roadway segments,
determine improvements that can be made to increase the roadway segment’s resilience
and ability to function during the predicted 2050 100-year flooding conditions.
➢ Evaluate minor arterial roadways on a case-by-case basis to identify potential
improvements resulting in better performance due to chronic and acute flooding
conditions.
➢ Ensure that City staff share vulnerability data with FDOT to help inform their adaptation
planning regarding Atlantic Boulevard and Mayport Road.
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The initial planning required to implement these recommendations should be addressed before
any capital expenditures, and these recommendations should be implemented within 24 months
or before any major capital expenditures relating to improvements of any ranked roadway
segment.
Based on results from the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, the following roadway segments
were included in the “highest” vulnerability rating category and improvements for reducing their
vulnerability to flooding should be considered:
➢ Selva Marina Drive between Saturiba Drive and Country Club Lane. This section of
roadway is vulnerable to flooding in the existing conditions 100-year rainfall and storm
surge flood scenarios.
➢ Sherry Drive between 8th Street and 4th Street. This section of roadway is vulnerable to
flooding in the existing conditions 100-year rainfall and storm-surge flood scenarios.
➢ Plaza at the Sherman Creek box culvert crossing. This section of roadway is vulnerable
to flooding in the existing conditions 100-year rainfall and storm-surge flood scenarios.
Raising the road at this location would require improvements to the Sherman Creek box-
culvert crossing. Improvements to this culvert crossing were recommended in the 2018
Stormwater Master Plan Update.
➢ Seminole Road between Seaspray Avenue and Plaza. This section of roadway is
vulnerable to flooding in the existing conditions 100-year rainfall and storm surge flood
scenarios. Raising the road at this location would require improvements to the Sherman
Creek box-culvert crossing. Improvements to this culvert crossing were recommended in
the 2018 Stormwater Master Plan Update.
➢ Selva Marina Drive from 500-feet north of 20th Street to 500-feet south of 20th Street. This
section of roadway is vulnerable to flooding in the existing conditions 100-year rainfall
and storm-surge flood scenarios.
4.4.5 Critical Utility Infrastructure
Vulnerable City-owned critical utility infrastructure within and outside the City limits include sewer
pump stations, potable water plants, and several potable water wells. The City has identified and
begun modifying and/or raising 14 vulnerable sanitary sewer lift stations as funding has allowed.
The Coastal Vulnerability Assessment identified 10 pump stations with a priority rating of “highest”
or “high” that the City should continue to prioritize in their adaptation efforts. The stations identified
in the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment include:
➢ The Courtyards Lift Station.
➢ Lakeside Lift Station.
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➢ Lift Station A.
➢ Lift Station B.
➢ Lift Station C.
➢ Lift Station G.
➢ Lift Station L.
➢ Lift Station N.
➢ Mimosa Cove Lift Station.
➢ Buc Master Lift Station (modification
complete in July 2025).
The Public Utilities Department will implement
the following recommendations to ensure
continuity of service under all conditions:
➢ Continue efforts to evaluate exposed
utility infrastructure with a ranking of high
or highest to identify improvements
required to protect these assets from
expected 100-year event flood levels in
2050. These improvements should be
implemented as funding becomes
available.
➢ Within the next 24 months, retain a consultant to evaluate all identified exposed critical
utility infrastructure to identify improvements required to protect these assets from the
expected 100-year event flood levels in 2050. These improvements should be
implemented within 36 months of completion of the evaluation or sooner as funding
becomes available.
4.4.6 Critical Public Facilities
Based on results from the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment sensitivity analysis, City Hall, the
Commission Chamber building, and the Public Safety (fire and police) building should be
prioritized for identifying adaptation needs and strategies to flood proof the facilities. The City has
already implemented improvements at these facilities, but additional studies and improvements
are needed.
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The City is exploring converting the Marsh Oaks Community Center into a resiliency hub to
provide essential services during extreme weather and flood events. Located outside the
floodplain, the facility would offer reliable power, clean water, internet access, and shelter to
residents during emergencies. This initiative supports long-term community resilience by ensuring
equitable access to resources and strengthening neighborhood-level preparedness.
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Recommended Actions
This Adaptation Plan is the result of the first iteration of the City’s adaptation planning process.
This Plan contains general recommendations for adaptation strategies to be applied to exposed
areas of the City as well as a recommended implementation schedule. Subsequent iterations of
this living document will be completed after solicitation of public input and will contain additional
objective data, more specific strategies, and updated implementation schedules as appropriate.
5.1 Summary of Recommended Actions and Schedule
Tables 5-1 through 5-6 summarize the recommendations for adaptation strategies identified in
each focus area with a recommended timeframe for implementation. The timeframes for
initiation are based on the following criteria:
➢ Ongoing ➔Actions currently being undertaken by staff
➢ Immediate ➔ Upon adoption of Adaptation Plan
➢ Near-Term ➔ <12 months
➢ Mid-Term ➔ 12-36 months
➢ Long-Term ➔ 36-48 months
Table 5-1 – Summary of Recommendations and Implementation Schedule
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
Review all capital projects in context of
adaptation Incorporate into project planning procedures Ongoing*
Building and zoning code review Initiate review process and produce report of
recommended actions Near-Term
Policies to encourage homeowner
resiliency projects Establish policies Mid-Term
Reinforce value of trees for absorbing
runoff
Develop educational materials; coordinate
with COJ efforts Ongoing*
Real estate disclosures Initiate discussions with Property Appraiser
and develop approach for implementation Mid-Term
Education and Public Engagement Tools Develop/adapt educational materials Near-Term
Low maintenance buffers on City
property Establish policy Ongoing*
Marsh restoration partnering w/ COJ,
JAXPORT, USACE
Begin planning, discuss with relevant
agencies, determine funding sources Mid-Term*
Work with COJ on vulnerability outreach
program
Begin coordination and development of
outreach materials Mid-Term
Invasive species mapping in riparian
areas Complete map and develop eradication plan Ongoing*
Maintain federal authorization for beach
renourishment
Maintain contact with USACE, COJ and
FDEP to assure authorization is maintained Ongoing
Incorporate EPA Green Streets into
planning & projects Incorporate in to Complete Streets program Near-Term
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Seek funding to phase out septic tanks Initiate discussions with COJ, FDEP and
SJRWMD to identify funding opportunities Ongoing
Incentivize LID practices Develop LID guide and update code as
necessary to incentivize Near-Term
Review minimum off-street parking
requirements
Review and update applicable sections of
code Near-Term
Revise minimum FFEs in exposed areas Evaluate impact of change and implement
code change Mid-Term
Note: * = timeframes that were updated in 2025
Table 5-2 – Areas West of Mayport Road Recommended Actions & Schedule
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
25-Year plan for SLR protection Commission evaluation and present options
to the community Mid-Term
Marsh baseline study Commission study Ongoing*
Table 5-3 – Major Drainageways Recommended Actions & Schedule
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
Evaluation of current CIPs Initiate review of projects Ongoing*
50-year drainage plan Engage consultant to develop 50-year plan;
incorporate findings in to the CIP Near-Term*
Table 5-4 – Roadways Recommended Actions & Schedule
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
Rank roads in pavement management
plan
Review & update pavement management
plan Near-Term
Improve resilience of vulnerable
roadways prior to repaving or making
major improvements
Evaluate roadway projects as they arise Ongoing
Minor arterial roadway evaluation Evaluate in response to inspections and
complaints Ongoing
Atlantic Boulevard and Mayport Road
resiliency Coordinate w/ FDOT Ongoing
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Table 5-5 – Critical Utility Infrastructure
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
Evaluate and upgrade exposed
infrastructure w/ ranking >=15
Evaluate and implement recommended
improvements Ongoing*
Evaluate and upgrade exposed
infrastructure w/ ranking <15
Evaluate and implement recommended
improvements Mid-Term
Table 5-6 – Critical Public Facilities
Recommendation Action Timeframe for
Initiation
Develop plan for exposed facilities with
ranking >= 15
Complete plan; design and schedule
recommended improvements Near-Term
Develop plan for exposed facilities with
ranking <15
Complete plan; design and schedule
recommended improvements Mid-Term
5.2 Monitoring and Evaluation
This Adaptation Plan is a living document and the recommendations and implementation
schedule contained in the Plan must be routinely visited and updated as necessary. SLR
predictions are subject to change as new information and data become available. These changes
must be incorporated into the exposure and sensitivity analyses to reveal any significant changes
that must be accounted for. This Plan is also expected to be revised as additional data, such as
marsh baseline data, are obtained.
The analyses described in the Coastal Vulnerability Assessment should be revisited every 5 years
at a minimum using the most recent sea levels and SLR predictions available. Subsequent to
updating these analyses, this Adaptation Plan should be revised to add additional adaptation
strategies as necessary and to move projects and actions listed in Section 4.3 to Section 4.4 as
they are implemented or completed.
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References
2015 Unified Sea Level Rise Projection for Southeast Florida, Southeast Florida Regional
Climate Change Compact Sea Level Rise Work Group, 2015
Adaptation Action Area Workgroup Report and Recommendations, City of Jacksonville,
November 2019
City of Atlantic Beach Coastal Vulnerability Assessment, Revision June 2025
City Council Special Committee on Resiliency Final Report, City of Jacksonville, April 2021
City of Jacksonville Storm Resiliency and Infrastructure Development Review Committee Final
Presentation, June 25, 2019
Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment, U.S. Global Change
Research Program, 2017
Florida Adaptation Planning Guidebook, FDEP, June 2018
Global and Regional Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the U.S., NOAA Technical Report NOS CO-
OPS 083, 2017
Global Sea Level Rise Scenarios for the United States, NOAA Technical Report OAR CPO-1
National Climate Assessment, 2012
Incorporating Sea Level Changes in Civil Works Programs, USACE Engineer Regulation
(ER) 1100-2-8162, 2013
NOAA Tides & Currents – Water Levels (https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/)
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 1 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under the Existing Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 2 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 500-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under the Existing Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 3 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2050 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 4 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2050 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 5 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 500-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2050 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 6 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 500-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2050 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 7 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2080 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 8 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2080 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 9 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 500-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2080 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 10 Rainfall-Induced Flooding for the 500-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event
Under 2080 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 11 High-Tide Flooding Depth Under the Existing Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 12 High-Tide Flooding Depth Under 2050 Intermediate-Low SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 13 High-Tide Flooding Depth Under 2050 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 14 High-Tide Flooding Depth Under 2080 Intermediate-Low SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 15 High-Tide Flooding Depth Under 2080 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 16 100-Year Storm-Surge Flooding Under the Existing Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 17 100-Year Storm-Surge Flooding Under 2050 Intermediate-Low SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 18 100-Year Storm-Surge Flooding Under 2050 Intermediate SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 19 100-Year Storm-Surge Flooding Under 2080 Intermediate-Low SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 20 100-Year Storm-Surge Flooding Under 2080 Intermediate SLR
Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 21 Combined Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event Under
Existing Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 22 Combined Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event Under
2050 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 23 Combined Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event Under
2050 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 24 Combined Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event Under
2080 Intermediate-Low SLR Conditions
Appendix A – Inundation Scenarios and Maps
Figure 25 Combined Flooding for the 100-Year, 24-Hour Storm Event Under
2080 Intermediate SLR Conditions
Future Flood Risk Adaptation Plan Update
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Appendix B
Public Workshop Comments
No public comments have been received to date. As this is a living document that will be
updated often as additional information becomes available, comments received from
planned public meetings will be incorporated as appropriate in to the document and will be
added to this appendix.