Challenge
It’s important that residents of coastal communities understand the threats they face from storms and flooding so they know how to stay safe, and how officials can prevent costly, life-threatening impacts. It can be challenging to present this information to community members and ensure they’re included in decision making.
Solution
City officials in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, held a workshop for residents to share their experiences with extreme flooding and learn about efforts underway to address them. Planners used the Digital Coast’s Sea Level Rise Viewer to show current risks, such as inland flooding from local bayous, as well as future flood impacts to the community. These discussions led to greater knowledge and support, which ultimately led to county officials changing their plans to a more effective flood mitigation approach.
Photo credit: Jackson County, Mississippi