A report prepared by the Broward County Natural Resources Planning and Management Division warns that unless several actions are taken, rising sea levels are likely to flood a small portion of Fort Lauderdale by 2040, and a much larger portion by 2075 -- when the sea level could rise by as much as 3 feet.
By 2100, the report predicts temperatures to increase by as much as 10 degrees, incidences of extreme weather become more likely, and the sea level could rise 5 feet above its current level.
Under its worst-case scenario estimate, a 3-foot rise in the sea level could flood major roadways, the downtown area, and access to beaches, and could affect $12.1 billion worth of taxable properties across Broward County.
This problem is in part due to how storm water is drained into the sea. Graphics in the report show that with an increase in the sea level, water could actually go the wrong way -- from the sea and out of the drains into the city:
Just a 1-foot rise in the sea level could flood several coastal communities and A1A, the report shows, and as the sea level rises to 2 feet above its current level, more communities could become flooded, as well as marine areas and local roads -- like Las Olas Boulevard.
At 3 feet, the report says downtown Fort Lauderdale would become more flooded, and would start to affect City Hall, waterway communities, access to schools, and navigation for boats under fixed bridges. Roads affected would include Broward Boulevard, Davie Boulevard, Riverland Road, as well as a few others:
The report is scheduled to be presented by the Nancy Gassman -- the manager of the county's energy and sustainability program -- at the Fort Lauderdale City Commission Conference Meeting, which is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
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