Major Risk Factors For Many Residents Living At St. Augustine

Risk Assessments In general, floodplains is a major risk factor to many residents living in St. Augustine. In their undeveloped state, floodplains play an important role in flooding. Natural floodplains reduce wind and wave impacts and their vegetation stabilizes soils (â€Å"Flood hazard†, n.d.). Floodplains can be recharged in areas of groundwater and reduce the frequency and duration of low flows of surface water (â€Å"Flood hazard†, n.d.). Some local natural floodplains in St. Augustine and St. Johns County are the Guana River State Park and Anastasia State Park. According to the demographic profile of St. Augustine, many of the residents live near those floodplain areas (â€Å"Flood hazard†, n.d.). Documents of previous floods show that St.†¦show more content†¦The effects and risks of flooding is a daily reality in much of St. Augustine. According to the demographic profile, there are over 13,000 people living in St. Augustine, with drinking water wells that are fouled by seawater (Simpson, 2015). In theory, one could conclude that many residents know that a flood is very likely in to strike in their area (Simpson, 2015). With flood warnings in St. Augustine making local newspaper as of lately, one could safely conclude that the community is somewhat trying to make an effort towards awareness to the whole community both local and state. Indicators of the Community Addressing the Issue With seawater wells this could cause a problem if a flood was to occur. Making it even harder to access water due to it being easily contaminated (Simpson, 2015). Communities like St. Augustine can do only so much alone, being only a small community compared to others (â€Å"Sea rise†, 2015). If the city was to build a seawall, it could possible divert water to a neighbor city which would only further the problem (â€Å"Sea rise†, 2015). Cities in Florida also lack the technology, money and manpower to keep back the seas by themselves (â€Å"Sea rise†, 2015). Despite warnings from water experts and climate scientists about risks to cities and drinking water, skepticism over sea-level projections and climate-change science has hampered planning efforts at all levels of