Potential effects of future sea level rise in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Monday, a special committee discussed the risks of sea level rise in the River City with recommendations from an engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers.

It was the special committee on resiliency’s first meeting. The committee was created to help assess our cities environmental health, they can propose policy and action plan recommendations to the mayor and city council.

Glen Landers said in a presentation sea levels could rise between one and four feet, much of the impact along the coast, Mayport and St. Johns River.

Landers referenced hospitals near the St. Johns River, that businesses in that area could be at risk.

Another concern is about septic tanks in the community -- a foot or more of sea level rise could cause septic tanks to malfunction.

Earlier this month a Princeton professor of geosciences and international affairs mentioned Jacksonville as a low-lying city facing the threat of sea level rise.

Landers advice to Jacksonville is to understand the risk and understand what lower level areas of Jacksonville might need higher sea walls and address those areas before it’s too late.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

© 2020 Cox Media Group