A multi-factor flood impact assessment approach towards evaluating Florida’s coastal cultural resources for an improved management strategy

Increased flooding from storms, hurricanes, and gradual changes in sea levels pose significant threats to Florida’s valuable cultural and archaeological resources, which include over 253,000 historic structures, historic cemeteries, National Register of Historic Places properties, and resource groups. This study investigates the impact of storm surge, sea level rise, and high tide flooding on these resources along Florida’s coastline. While some efforts have been made to assess these impacts, no comprehensive analysis exists to guide stakeholders in prioritizing actions for documentation, preservation, and funding allocation. Notable efforts, such as those by the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Heritage Monitoring Scout program have contributed to understanding the scope of these threats. However, a gap remains in synthesizing this information to identify the most at-risk sites. This article builds on existing research to assess, quantify, and highlight vulnerable cultural resources, with a focus on understanding the key factors driving these risks. Our results quantify the exposure of cultural assets to multiple flooding scenarios and highlight priority targets for preservation and resilience planning. These findings offer a preliminary framework for prioritizing preservation efforts which will enable stakeholders to direct limited resources more effectively toward safeguarding Florida’s coastal cultural heritage.