RESILIENT PORT ST. Joe
Vulnerability and Sensitivity Analysis
The Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan evaluates current and future flood risks while identifying adaptation strategies that strengthen the resilience of Port St. Joe’s communities, infrastructure, natural resources, and economy.
The Resilient Port St. Joe Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan evaluates how coastal flooding, sea level rise, and storm surge may affect the city’s people, infrastructure, economy, and natural resources. By combining a comprehensive vulnerability assessment with targeted adaptation strategies, the project provides a data-driven framework for resilience planning, informed decision-making, and long-term community adaptation.
Coastal Flood Hazards
Port St. Joe is increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise, tidal flooding, storm surge, FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and compound flooding. Understanding how these hazards affect homes, infrastructure, natural resources, and economic assets is the first step toward identifying effective strategies that reduce flood risks and strengthen community resilience.
Building a Resilience Roadmap
The Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan integrates flood modeling, geospatial analysis, critical asset inventories, and community engagement to identify areas of greatest flood risk and prioritize adaptation actions. Together, these findings guide resilience planning, infrastructure investments, and long-term strategies that help Port St. Joe prepare for future coastal challenges.
The Project Funded by:
Vulnerability Assessement
Understanding Risks
Evaluates how coastal flooding, sea level rise, storm surge, FEMA flood hazards, and compound flooding may affect Port St. Joe’s people, infrastructure, economy, and natural resources under current and future conditions.
Adaptation Plan
Building Resilience
Transforms vulnerability assessment findings into targeted adaptation strategies that reduce flood risk, strengthen community resilience, and guide future investments and long-term planning.
vulnerability Assessment
The Vulnerability Assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of how coastal flooding, sea level rise, storm surge, and other flood hazards may affect Port St. Joe’s communities and critical assets. By combining flood modeling, geospatial analysis, and asset inventories, the assessment identifies priority vulnerabilities and establishes the foundation for targeted adaptation strategies that strengthen long-term community resilience.
Zone of Analysis
Port St. Joe features unique natural and city conditions delineating distinct zones based on geography, urban form, land use, density, and elevation. This differentiation is crucial for effectively addressing the specific vulnerabilities and needs of various parts of the city. To facilitate targeted analysis and interventions, the study area has been organized into six zones:
Zone 1 – Downtown Port St. Joe
Port St. joe downtown and historical area
Zone 2 – North Port St. Joe
Cemetery Park and the surrounding residential areas of Gulf Boulevard and Hodges Avenue
Zone 3 – South Port St. Joe
Residential area at the end of Hodges Avenue on the west of Zone 2
Zone 4 – East Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe Airport and its surrounding residential area
Zone 5 – West Port St. Joe
State Road 24 access from Bridge #4 to the beginning of D Street
Zone 6 – Beach Communities
Influence Area, not a specific zone but includes the surrounding region containing critical assets that influence the functioning of Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe Asset Summary
Housing Exposure Analysis
Housing vulnerability is projected to increase significantly over time, with Category 2 hurricanes becoming a major driver of residential flood exposure. Approximately 30% of homes could be affected by 2040, increasing to nearly 50% by 2070.
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Transportation Exposure Analysis
Transportation networks become increasingly vulnerable under storm surge scenarios. A Category 2 hurricane could flood nearly 80% of roads in Downtown and West Port St. Joe, limiting access to key corridors and disrupting connectivity throughout the city.
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Critical Infrastucture Exposure Analysis
Critical infrastructure is projected to face substantially greater flood exposure under future storm scenarios. By 2040, a Category 2 hurricane could affect more than 30% of critical infrastructure assets, increasing to over 50% by 2070, while stronger storms may expose essential facilities to significant flood depths.
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Community and Emergency Facilities Exposure Analysis
Community and emergency facilities are projected to experience increasing flood exposure under future storm scenarios. By 2070, a Category 2 hurricane could affect nearly three times as many facilities as today, with the greatest impacts concentrated in the Downtown area.
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Natural, Cultural, and Historical Resources Exposure Analysis
Natural, cultural, and historical resources represent some of Port St. Joe’s most vulnerable assets. By 2040, a Category 2 hurricane could inundate many historic structures, parks, and open spaces, highlighting the importance of protecting the city’s environmental and cultural heritage.
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PSJ Beach Communities Exposure Analysis
The Beach Communities are among the areas most exposed to coastal flooding due to their low elevation and proximity to the Gulf. Future hurricane scenarios indicate increasing risks to housing, transportation, infrastructure, and beach access, with widespread flooding expected during Category 2 and stronger storms.
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Framework for Adaptation Areas
To better understand where flood risks overlap, the vulnerability assessment combines multiple exposure analyses into a single compound vulnerability map. This integrated approach identifies locations where housing, transportation, critical infrastructure, community facilities, and natural resources experience multiple flood-related challenges, helping reveal the areas with the greatest need for resilience planning.
Based on this analysis, five priority adaptation areas were identified across Port St. Joe. These focus areas represent locations where targeted investments, infrastructure improvements, and resilience strategies can reduce future flood impacts while supporting sustainable community development. Community feedback was also incorporated to ensure the identified priorities reflect local conditions and planning needs.
Adaptation Plan
The vulnerability assessment synthesizes flood exposure across multiple asset categories to identify where risks overlap throughout Port St. Joe. These findings identify priority areas where targeted resilience strategies and future investments can have the greatest community impact.
Adaptation Zones
The following focus areas present targeted adaptation strategies developed from the Vulnerability Assessment. By addressing the specific challenges and opportunities within each area, the Adaptation Plan provides a framework for reducing flood risk, strengthening community resilience, and guiding future investments across Port St. Joe. The plan is guided by three core principles: highlighting the city’s hydrologic conditions, ensuring transportation connectivity, and enhancing flood resilience through place-based solutions that respond to local needs.
To support effective implementation, the Adaptation Plan organizes the city into six adaptation zones—Downtown Port St. Joe, North Port St. Joe, South Port St. Joe, East Port St. Joe, West Port St. Joe, and the Beach Communities. Each zone reflects distinct geographic, environmental, and community characteristics, allowing tailored adaptation strategies that address local priorities while contributing to a more resilient and connected Port St. Joe.
Zone 1: Downtown Port St. Joe
Key Assets
Downtown Port St. Joe contains many of the city’s most important civic, commercial, cultural, and waterfront assets. Key priorities include maintaining access to major transportation corridors, protecting public facilities and utilities, preserving parks and recreational spaces, and supporting the historic downtown and marina district.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on maintaining emergency access, reducing flood impacts on critical infrastructure, and improving the resilience of public buildings, utilities, and commercial corridors. Enhancing shoreline protection and strengthening stormwater management are also essential to reduce future flood risks while preserving Downtown’s historic and economic character.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies combine nature-based solutions with targeted infrastructure improvements. Priority actions include shoreline restoration and beach nourishment, floodproofing key public buildings and commercial areas, elevating critical infrastructure, improving Marina Drive and waterfront facilities, enhancing stormwater retention, and reinforcing the marina, boardwalks, and public access areas to improve long-term resilience.
Zone 2: North Port St. Joe
Key Assets
North Port St. Joe contains important transportation corridors, utility infrastructure, waterfront access, commercial areas, and community facilities that support both residents and the city’s essential services. Key assets include Highway 98, Battles Street, Highland View Boat Ramp, water and wastewater facilities, commercial corridors, and the Chicken House Creek area.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on maintaining transportation connectivity, protecting critical utility infrastructure, and improving stormwater and drainage systems throughout the area. Enhancing flood resilience along Chicken House Creek, reinforcing waterfront structures, and reducing flood exposure for vulnerable residential areas are essential to improving long-term community resilience.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies combine green infrastructure, stormwater improvements, and targeted infrastructure upgrades to reduce flood risks. Priority actions include creating wetland and retention parks, expanding bioswales, elevating critical lift stations and road segments, reinforcing the Highland View Boat Ramp, improving drainage along Battles Street and Chicken House Creek, and relocating or elevating flood-prone homes where appropriate.
Zone 3: South Port St. Joe
Key Assets
South Port St. Joe includes important residential neighborhoods, educational facilities, healthcare services, commercial establishments, and major transportation corridors. Key assets include Oak Grove, Highway 98, State Road 30, Port St. Joe High School and Middle School, healthcare facilities, and neighborhood commercial services that support the surrounding community.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on improving local drainage, protecting vulnerable residential areas, and enhancing the resilience of schools and community facilities. Preserving natural marsh systems and coastal vegetation is also essential to reduce flood impacts while maintaining the area’s existing environmental resilience.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies emphasize nature-based solutions and targeted drainage improvements to strengthen long-term resilience. Priority actions include restoring marsh habitats, protecting native coastal vegetation, improving drainage within Oak Grove and school campuses, and supporting building elevation programs for flood-prone properties where appropriate. These measures help reduce flood risks while preserving the character and functionality of South Port St. Joe.
Zone 4: East Port St. Joe
Key Assets
East Port St. Joe includes critical transportation corridors, residential neighborhoods, public facilities, utility infrastructure, and natural areas along the Central Channel. Key assets include Garrison Avenue, the Central Channel corridor, lift stations, Forest Park, public safety facilities, and residential communities that support daily services and emergency operations.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on maintaining transportation connectivity, protecting essential utility infrastructure, and increasing flood resilience along the Central Channel. Restoring wetlands, expanding flood storage capacity, and reducing flood exposure for vulnerable residential areas are key priorities to strengthen long-term resilience while preserving critical public services.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies combine nature-based solutions, targeted infrastructure upgrades, and resilient land-use planning. Priority actions include restoring wetlands along the Central Channel, elevating critical utility infrastructure and flood-prone homes, reinforcing shoreline protection, improving connectivity along Garrison Avenue, and encouraging future development in lower-risk areas to reduce long-term flood vulnerability.
Zone 5: West Port St. Joe
Key Assets
West Port St. Joe contains a diverse mix of residential neighborhoods, transportation corridors, community facilities, parks, waterfront recreation, and commercial districts. Key assets include major north–south and east–west transportation routes, public facilities, schools, healthcare services, waterfront parks, and commercial corridors that support both local residents and the city’s economy.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on reducing flood risks across residential areas, protecting critical infrastructure and utilities, maintaining transportation connectivity, and restoring the city’s natural shoreline systems. Improving stormwater management, increasing water retention capacity, and strengthening community facilities are essential to support long-term resilience in this highly vulnerable area.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies combine nature-based solutions, stormwater management, and targeted infrastructure improvements to strengthen community resilience. Priority actions include restoring marshes and wetlands, enhancing shoreline vegetation, elevating flood-prone buildings and critical infrastructure, expanding bioswales and rainwater retention systems, improving evacuation routes and bridge connections, floodproofing homes and commercial properties, and increasing channel capacity to better manage future flood events.
Zone 6: Beach Communities
Key Assets
The Beach Communities include coastal residential neighborhoods, evacuation routes, public beach access, and utility infrastructure that support both local residents and visitors. Key assets include Highway 98, community access roads, Windmark Beach access points, and critical utility facilities that are essential for maintaining connectivity and public services along the coast.
Adaptation Needs
Adaptation efforts focus on maintaining safe evacuation routes, protecting critical utility infrastructure, and reducing the impacts of storm surge on coastal communities. Strengthening shoreline resilience and safeguarding public spaces are essential to preserve beach access, improve community safety, and support the long-term sustainability of this highly exposed coastal area.
Recommended Actions
Recommended strategies emphasize nature-based shoreline protection combined with targeted infrastructure improvements. Priority actions include restoring and preserving dunes, implementing living shorelines, reinforcing public beach access and coastal amenities, protecting lift station components, and improving the resilience of critical infrastructure to reduce storm surge impacts and enhance long-term coastal resilience.
Project Outcomes & Reports
Resilient Port St. Joe: Vulnerability + Sensitivity Analysis Report
