River Ridge discusses multi‑year storm‑surge planning; board agrees to assist with advisory coordination

Eric Long, PSGRC general manager, asked the River Ridge CDD to support development of a multi-year action plan to build resilience against increasing storm‑surge impacts and climate change. He described objectives that could take five to ten years and suggested creating an advisory/review panel to coordinate with state and county partners.

Long described a hypothetical topographic analysis for a scenario he called "Hurricane Milton," saying a 10‑ to 12‑foot surge could have flooded an estimated 45%–55% of the community. He asked the CDD to designate a board representative and staff or engineering representatives to help coordinate, and the board reached a consensus that Mr. Long and Mr. Merrill will assist and that Mr. Krebs is authorized to provide support as necessary.

Mr. Pires noted the Army Corps of Engineers had presented ideas in neighboring Collier County that could be considered if funding becomes available; no funding decisions or formal contracts were made during the meeting.