Clearwater Launches Climate Vulnerability Assessment

CLEARWATER, FL — The city of Clearwater has launched a citywide vulnerability assessment to better understand how climate factors, such as flooding and extreme heat, will impact the city in the near and distant future.

This assessment is funded by the state of Florida's Resilient Florida Grant Program at $197,848, with a required local match of $24,000.

According to the Tampa Bay Climate Science Advisory Panel's 2019 report, the Tampa Bay region has already experienced 7.8 inches of sea-level rise since 1946. Based upon its assessment of scientific data and literature, the report indicates the region is expected to see an additional 2 to 8.5 feet of sea-level rise by the end of this century.

Additionally, from a 2019 report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, Florida is expected to face a heat index of 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for a third of the year. Such an increase would create health hazards for Clearwater's low-income residents, socially vulnerable communities and outdoor workers.

These factors, in addition to several other climate hazards, have caused the Tampa Bay region to be listed as one of the most at-risk areas in the world.

Under the guidance of a multi-disciplinary technical advisory committee involving regional partners, the city will work with a consulting firm to create a "digital twin" of Clearwater to test vital community elements, including the natural, built and social environments, against several projected climate impacts, with the greatest priority being given to analyzing the impacts of flood and heat.

"Impacts will be felt disproportionately by people who lack access to shelter, who are unable to afford air conditioning, the elderly and people who work outdoors, among others," said Sheridan Gemuendt, the city of Clearwater's sustainability coordinator. "Using an innovative, scientific and data-driven resiliency tool, we hope to address climate impacts at the local level. We appreciate the dtate grant program for supporting our initial efforts in creating a resilient Clearwater."

The project will result in a resilience report that will include project findings and serve as the basis to guide capital project investments, assist with the planning of a future Climate Action Plan, and identify alternatives that support social justice and cost-benefit objectives of the city.

Pinellas County also received funding for a countywide vulnerability assessment. The city and county studies will share some data. However, Clearwater's study will be more specific to city infrastructure and neighborhoods.

The county's study focuses mostly on the effects of sea-level rise and flooding, while Clearwater's will include those risks in addition to other concerns, such as extreme heat and impacts to public health.

When complete, the results of the study will be presented to the public at sessions designed to both inform residents about these risks and receive feedback on the study's proposed mitigation solutions.