Flooding and Historic Properties: Resilient Heritage in the Nation's Oldest City

St. Augustine is a historic city unlike any other that has continuous settlement evidence of Native American, African, European, and American cultures.  Protecting the evidence of their lifeways is the work of the city's archaeology and historic preservation programs while balancing the needs of our contemporary society.  Among the most significant challenges is the environmental threat of natural disasters including flooding, sea level rise, erosion, and rising water tables.


Resilient Heritage Website

Aerial image of St. Augustine from the Castillo southward along the water

Flood Guidance Website

Historic house elevated on cribbing for construction of a new elevated foundation
 
 

Resources:

St. Augustine

  1. “Flood Guidance for Historic Properties” brochure (with relevant information for all buildings)
  2. Flood Mitigation Design Guidance
  3. Resiliency and Historic Preservation in St. Augustine
  4. St. Augustine Resilient Heritage Report
  5. "Flood Guidance for Historic Coquina Structures" brochure
  6. Flood Mitigation Design Guidance for Historic Coquina Buildings
  7. 2018 Historic Preservation Master Plan (PDF)
  8. Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Historic Properties (PDF)
  9. Adaptation Plan St. Augustine (2017)
  10. Adapting to Rising Tides - UF St. Augustine White Paper

National Park Service and FEMA Resources

  1. Flood Adaptation Design Guidelines, National Park Service (2021)
  2. Protecting Your Historic Home from Natural Disasters (Louisiana 2015)
  3. FEMA P-467-2 Floodproofing Historic Structures.pdf
  4. Treatment of Flood Damaged Historic Buildings.pdf

Florida and the State Division of Historical Resources

  1. Disaster Mitigation for Historic Properties (2008).pdf
  2. Disaster Recovery Grants.pdf

Others

  1. National Landmarks at Risk (2014)
  2. Flood Vulnerability Analysis (Apalachicola)
  3. Elevation Design Guidelines (Charleston)
  4. Elevation Design Guidelines (Louisiana)
  5. Flood Mitigation Guide (Maryland)
  6. Historic District Resiliency and Adaptation Guidelines (Miami Beach)
  7. Elevation Design Guidelines (Mississippi)
  8. Elevation Design Guidelines (New Jersey)