Meetings, public engagement, and survey will help direct climate-hazard assessment, planning, and mitigation efforts to keep the community safe

Who: Hillsborough County and the Florida Center for Community Design + Research

What: Public Meeting to Discuss Updating Hillsborough County's Community Vulnerability Assessment

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16

Where: Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33615

* Virtual participation opportunities are on the project website or at HCFL.gov/HCEngage.

Hillsborough County, Fla. (April 10, 2024) - Hillsborough County and the Florida Center for Community Design + Research are updating the County's Community Vulnerability Assessment, last updated in 2020. They need the assistance of people who live, work, and spend time in Hillsborough County to help identify areas of flooding and critical assets.

Outreach for the Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan will include two workshop-style meetings and one presentation. For community members who are not able to attend the meetings, a virtual public engagement will be available from April 16 through the end of the year.

In order to direct mitigation efforts, the County is performing an assessment of the potential impacts to infrastructure and the community from flooding and sea level rise. Results will help direct mitigation efforts to keep the community safe and assure a speedy recovery in times of crisis. The first meeting is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at the Town 'N Country Regional Public Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Suite 120, Tampa, FL 33615.

The information gathered through the public meetings and the virtual public engagement will allow experts to identify at-risk areas and what adaptative strategies could be implemented. A plan will also be developed at the County level that will help reduce the risks associated with natural and human-caused disasters. In addition, the County has partnered with Dewberry, a national firm that offers planning, design, and construction strategies, to include an update to the County's Local Mitigation Strategy.

Information about other meetings will be announced by Hillsborough County and posted on the project website.

Posted: 4/10/2024, 1:07:24 PM