Consultants present Jackson County vulnerability assessment; DEP review pending and adaptation funding options noted

Consultants presented the finalized vulnerability assessment for Jackson County, funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The study — which the presenters said they submitted to DEP for final review — maps flood exposure under current conditions and modeled scenarios for 2040 and 2070, overlays critical assets, and identifies county focus areas for adaptation and mitigation.

Scope and methodology

Hannah Hart (presenter) said the project was fully funded by DEP with no local match required. Consultants gathered critical-asset data through community meetings, field surveys to selected assets, and collaboration with local staff. Flood scenarios modeled included the 1% (formerly called 100-year) and 0.2% (formerly 500-year) events under current and projected future conditions (years 2040 and 2070). The consultants also examined how extreme…