Board of County Commissioners
Workshop Request
Date of Meeting:
June 23rd 4pm
Date Submitted:
June 11, 2008
To:
Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board
From:
Benjamin H. Pingree, County Administrator
Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management
Emergency Management Director, Scott L. Nelson
Subject:
Briefing on Storm Surge Vulnerability of Wakulla County
Statement of Issue:
This workshop is being held to provide the BOCC and citizens with a briefing on the Storm Surge
Vulnerability of Wakulla County. The State Meteorologist, National Weather Service, and Wakulla
County Emergency Management will provide information underscoring the surge vulnerability of
Wakulla County. The ultimate goal is to educate the BOCC, agency partners, and the Citizens of
Wakulla county to the unique vulnerability we have countywide to Storm related Surge. It is
imperative that every resident become informed about this and that they are prepared to immediately
follow evacuation orders when they are issued.
Background:
All of Wakulla County is vulnerable to storm surge. The County has the highest surge values in the
nation. We have unique characteristics that make our county vulnerable to surge. A category four
and five hurricane under the right conditions is projected to cause storm surge into Leon County.
Hurricane Dennis underscored our vulnerability to surge in 2005. Dennis made landfall near
Pensacola nearly 160 miles to our west. This event resulted in over 10-feet of surge to our county
destroying many homes and damaging many others. We are not requesting a decision from this
workshop, the intent is to provide an education opportunity to the BOCC and our Citizens.
Analysis:
This workshop will allow the county to be fully informed about our surge vulnerabilities and surge
predictions. It will allow the opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the many factors that
make us unique and extremely vulnerable to surge events. The State Meteorologist and National
Weather Service Staff will provide the information at this meeting.
Attachment(s):
1.
Workshop Agenda
2.
PowerPoint Presentations