American Flood Coalition welcomes Florida’s new Chief Resilience Officer and applauds Governor DeSantis
Florida becomes the third and largest state with a Chief Resilience Officer that reports to the governor with the appointment of Dr. Julia Nesheiwat.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Flood Coalition applauds Governor Ron DeSantis’s appointment of a Chief Resilience Officer within the Executive Office of the Governor and welcomes Dr. Julia Nesheiwat to the position. Florida joins Rhode Island and Oregon as the only states with designated resilience offices with clear executives that report directly to the governor.
“To truly tackle the challenges of flooding and sea level rise, we need more elected leaders to take bold and proactive actions to protect their communities. Elevating a Chief Resilience Officer within the governor’s office sends a clear message that Florida is ready to face the challenges of rising seas now and into the future,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “Dr. Nesheiwat is eminently qualified and a great choice as Florida’s first Chief Resilience Officer.”
Florida faces significant risks from flooding and sea level rise and must rise to the challenge by prioritizing flood resilience. With over 1,300 miles of coastline, the state is particularly exposed to the effects of sea level rise. Florida has seen 3 inches of sea level rise since 2000, with projections of at least 6 inches in the next 15 years, or more than 1 inch every 3 years. There are over 120,000 properties already at risk from frequent tidal flooding disrupting businesses and eroding home value. Florida has seen $5.32 billion in lost appreciation of home value due to flooding since 2005.
A coordinated, statewide response is key to creating a more resilient Florida. The state’s unique geology means that many traditional measures for coastal protection will not protect Florida from sea level rise. Cities and counties in Florida have already invested over $4 billion in sea level rise solutions with more investment needed. The appointment of a Chief Resilience Officer is a critical step in protecting the economy, homes, and residents of Florida.
“After Hurricane Andrew, Florida became the world leader in wind resilience. The appointment of a Chief Resilience Officer is Florida’s chance to redefine adaptation and flood resilience to serve as a model for the nation and the world,” said Alec Bogdanoff, Ph.D., Florida Resilience Manager of the American Flood Coalition. “We thank Governor DeSantis for his leadership on this issue and applaud his appointment. It is truly a great day in the State of Florida.”
The American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan group of cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups that have come together to drive adaptation to the reality of higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding through national solutions that support flood-affected communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy, and military installations.
Cities, towns, elected officials, businesses, and local leaders wishing to join the American Flood Coalition or read more about the organization’s work can visit the Coalition’s website (www.floodcoalition.org) to find out more.
