How a Barrier Island City Turned Hurricane Impacts Into Long-Term Flood Solutions
When Hurricanes Ian and Nicole hit Volusia County, the impacts in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, were immediate and deeply personal. Of the city’s 198 oceanfront properties, 127 reported damage, including compromised seawalls, undermined pools, and blocked beach access. Because seawalls are not insurable, condo associations faced sudden, high-cost repairs. Tourism slowed overnight as seasonal visitors delayed plans, local businesses lost foot traffic, and hotel occupancy dipped during the most important months of the year.
For a barrier-island community where the economy depends on reliable access and seasonal visitors, the stakes could not have been higher.
Turning crisis into coordinated action
Under Mayor Nancy Miller’s leadership, Daytona Beach Shores moved quickly from response to resilience. Mayor Miller coordinated closely with Volusia County’s 16 municipalities, state agencies, and federal partners to secure both emergency assistance and long-term solutions.
The city partnered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to pilot Tiger Dams, temporary water-filled barriers that protect vulnerable shoreline areas while permanent fixes advance. FEMA assistance and SBA loans helped residents and associations bridge immediate financial gaps.
Equally important was communication. Mayor Miller emphasized that when residents cannot see progress, confidence erodes. In response, Volusia County is launching an interactive public GIS map that allows residents to enter an address, view nearby stormwater or shoreline projects, and understand timelines and benefits. Transparency became a resilience tool.
Scaling resilience through alignment
Daytona Beach Shores aligned its work with Transform 386, Volusia County’s resilience and stormwater initiative that provides grants and technical assistance across municipalities. By working within a shared framework, local investments add up at the watershed scale, reducing duplication and speeding delivery.
Mayor Miller also focused on a critical but often overlooked issue: private drainage responsibility. Homeowner associations and property managers play a major role in flood outcomes. Neglected retention ponds, clogged inlets, and undersized private pipes can trigger neighborhood-wide flooding. Setting clear standards and enforcing maintenance expectations protects the entire system.
Statewide leadership with local impact
Mayor Miller’s influence extends well beyond city limits. As past president of the Florida League of Mayors and current president of the Volusia League of Cities, she helps shape legislative priorities and convenes local leaders to share best practices on stormwater, insurance, taxation, and municipal operations. That alignment strengthens home rule and channels funding where it reduces flood risk most effectively.
Daytona Beach Shores also coordinates closely with FDOT and the regional water management district, sequencing culvert upgrades, dune reinforcement, seawall work, and beach access repairs. Pairing near-term protections with durable infrastructure upgrades has helped restore tourism while reducing future losses.
Lessons for peer communities
- Maintain stormwater systems before storms hit. Routine inspections and debris removal are among the most cost-effective flood mitigation tools.
- Integrate communication with infrastructure. Public, map-based updates build trust and sustain momentum during phased construction.
- Clarify private drainage responsibilities. HOA standards and enforcement protect entire neighborhoods.
- Align city and county funding early. Shared priorities shorten timelines and prevent duplication.
Looking ahead, Daytona Beach Shores is reinforcing beach access points, supporting inland drainage fixes across Volusia County, and continuing to share lessons statewide. AFC supports this work by connecting communities to federal funding, facilitating peer learning, and convening local leaders with federal decision-makers.
“Don’t reinvent the wheel. Borrow best practices and stay proactive,” said Mayor Miller.
