To ensure preparation for natural disasters, the City of Destin continuously works to mitigate hazards outlined in the city’s currently adopted 2016 Local Mitigation Strategy.
Each year Okaloosa County, with input from all participating municipalities, provides the Florida Division of Emergency Management an update on the status of the adopted 2016 Local Mitigation Strategy. The update includes any new and completed projects, as well as a brief summary of any other changes that have or will ensure the city is better prepared for natural disasters like the extensive flooding the city has experienced.
Examples of projects that are complete or currently under construction that will better prepare the city include:
1.Priority 4b: Stormwater improvements on Sandalwood Drive, completed Fall 2017.
2.Priority 4c: Stormwater swales and retention for Joe’s Bayou Area – in Fall 2016 the city completed an upgrade to the existing stormwater management system for Heritage Run Subdivision which included expanded 2800cf wet well as well as a pair of 40 horsepower (HP) pumps and an additional five horsepower backup pump. An emergency generator was installed for emergency backup power, and this system has been put on a revolving maintenance cycle.
3.Priority 4d: Stormwater swales and retention for Kelly Street Area, completed Fall 2017; also includes portions of Benning Drive.
4.Priority 5a: Stormwater swales and retention for Maltezos Street Area, completed Summer 2017.
5.Priority 6a: Replace culverts and swale system in Indian Bayou Subdivision, ongoing; storm swale and pipe replacement/upgrade project completed spring 2017 in flood prone area.
6.Priority 15a: Permanent Stabilization of Norriego Point, Phase I construction substantially complete Spring 2018.
Providing the update also ensures ability of the county and city to request and receive funds in the event of a declared disaster.
The city’s implementation of a Local Mitigation Strategy also enables the city to receive needed Community Rating System (CRS) point credits toward maintaining the city’s annual CRS ranking of a “6,” which currently provides City of Destin property owners a 20% flood insurance premium rate reduction.
A copy of the updated Local Mitigation Strategy is available at the City of Destin Public Services Department, 4200 Indian Bayou Trail, and on the city’s website www.cityofdestin.com for the public to review.