Can We Equip Coastal Infrastructure to Survive the Age of Superstorms?
The Challenge
After Hurricane Ian caused billions of dollars in transport infrastructure damage, a Gulf Coast county needed climate-resilient redesigns for nearly 100 miles of vulnerable roadway. Existing plans prioritized immediate repairs over long-term adaptation, risking repetitive losses.
Our Approach
Buffalo Strategy synthesized historical storm surge data with predictive climate models to identify critical infrastructure vulnerabilities across the coastal roadway. Our team engineered a hybrid defense system combining elevated roadway segments with nature-based solutions, including regenerative wetland buffers. To optimize resource allocation, we developed a dynamic maintenance protocol that adapted to real-time environmental monitoring and storm forecasting data.
Key Takeaway
Static elevation benchmarks ignored compound flooding risks from concurrent storm surge and rainfall. We analyzed 120 years of hurricane data to identify critical elevation thresholds that reduced flood probabilities by 83% when increased just 18 inches.
The Outcome
1
Completed Phase 1 upgrades surviving Category 4 impacts with zero structural damage.
2
Created 1,200 acres of new marine habitat through nature-based solutions.
3
Reduced insurance premiums by 35% for protected commercial corridors.
