Subject:
Title
Resilient Florida grant application for the Coastal Countywide Real Time Flood Forecasting Project to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
label
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval by the Department Director to submit a Resilient Florida grant application for the Coastal Countywide Real Time Flood Forecasting Project to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).
The proposed project will provide real-time flood forecasting (RTFF) models for the coastal portions of Pinellas County.
• Resulting RTFF models and dashboard system will allow the County to better predict flood extents that may impact streets and structures within study areas.
• The project will take three years to complete.
• No signature is required for the Public Works Director to submit the grant application.
• County funding, prior to reimbursement, will be come from the Public Works Department’s Operating Budget Surface Water Utility Fund.
• Funding for this grant is included in the FY26 budget of the Public Works Surface Water Utility Fund.
The total amount of grant funding to be requested is $346,100.00 with no County Match required or anticipated.
Body
Strategic Priorities:
Resilient Infrastructure and Environment
1.4 Improve environmental quality
1.5 Strengthen resilience and adaptation
Healthy and Safe Communities
2.2 Enhance community safety
Smart Service Delivery
4.3 Improve efficiency of service delivery through technology
4.4 Pursue continuous improvement
Summary:
The total proposed grant funding to be requested is $346,100.00 with no County matching funds anticipated. The project will develop a coastal surge and tidal condition real-time flood forecasting model and dashboard. This system will serve as an early flood warning system, enabling the County to better predict flooding levels that will impact streets and structures throughout the County. Using these advanced dashboard warnings or alerts, the County will be able to make better decisions on road closures, notifying and/or evacuating residents, mobilizing stormwater pumps and signage, and floodproofing utilities.
Background/Explanation:
Flooding throughout various parts of the County occurs frequently and is progressively intensifying as storms increase in regularity and strength. A real-time flood forecasting (RTFF) technology powered by StormWise (Previously ICPR4) has been developed to predict flood levels in advance of events by using watershed conditions and rainfall forecasts to warn and alert stakeholders.
The project will consist of developing a coastal surge RTFF model and dashboard system. The dashboard and coastal surge projections will be used to anticipate potential flooding conditions in advance, during and after storm events. More reliable data for the 281-square mile watershed will be available to inform decisions to better protect people and property.
Fiscal Impact:
The total amount of grant funding requested is $346,100.00 with no County matching funds anticipated. County funds, prior to reimbursement, will be derived from the Public Works Department’s Operating Budget Surface Water Utility Fund.
Funding for this grant is included in the FY26 budget of the Public Works Surface Water Utility Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the Public Works Director to approve submission of this grant application is granted under Code Section 2-62(a)(4) and the Memorandum of Delegated Grant Authority dated March 28, 2016.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
FDEP
Attachments:
Grant Application Scope of Work
RTFF Map
OMB Intent To Apply Approval
Delegation of Grant Application Approval Authority