Five years ago, Florida leaders made a strategic commitment to confronting one of the most pressing challenges facing communities across our state: flooding. With the passage of the “Always Ready” legislation in 2021 and the launch of the state’s Resilient Florida program, state lawmakers recognized that sea level rise, stronger storms, and heavier rainfall demanded coordinated, forward-thinking action.
State programs such as Resilient Florida, the Division of Emergency Management’s Local Mitigation Strategy, and, most recently, the State Revolving Fund forgivable loan have created a framework for identifying vulnerabilities, prioritizing projects, and, most importantly, providing state and federal funding to help local governments implement solutions. This framework empowered cities like Largo to identify risks to critical assets, develop plans and translate those plans into real-world infrastructure improvements that prevent flood damage to our residents and businesses.
As mayor of Largo, I’ve seen firsthand how strategic funding and forward-looking policy can translate into real, tangible results. A clear example is our Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations 47 and 41 Elevation Project, a targeted investment in one of the most vulnerable components of our infrastructure system made possible by the Resilient Florida program and Local Mitigation grants. Wastewater lift stations are highly susceptible to flooding, whether from sea level rise or extreme weather events. When they fail, the consequences can be costly and hazardous, including overflows that threaten waterways, homes, and public health.
To address this risk, Largo is working to:
• Elevate the lift station’s concrete slab and control panels by 3.25 feet above the existing grade.
• Install a waterproof hatch to protect key equipment.
• Install a backup generator to ensure continued operation during power outages.
• Construct a 10.4-foot-high reinforced concrete wall, bringing the total protective elevation to 15.4 feet, to shield both the lift station and generator from potential floodwaters.
Additionally, thanks to the Local Mitigation Strategy program, we are currently relocating Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations 19 and 26 from the 100- to the 500-year floodplain, protecting hundreds of homes from the effects of more intense tropical weather events. We also plan to seek state investment support to elevate the control panels at the six sewage lift stations that experienced catastrophic flooding during Hurricane Helene, which will greatly reduce their risk of flooding failure in the future.
But we recognize that our low-lying geography makes us particularly susceptible to escalating flood risks, so there’s more work to do. With support from the Florida Legislature through the “Always Ready” legislation, Largo has been able to tackle projects that proactively address these risks in our community.
These improvements are designed not just for today’s conditions, but also for the future realities of sea level rise and increasingly severe weather. The result is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it’s prioritizing public safety in our community. These projects will prevent and mitigate the impacts of flooding, reduce the likelihood of sewer overflows, and ensure continuity of service when our community needs it most.
This is what resilience looks like in practice: anticipating risks and acting before disaster strikes.
Five years in, the impact of the “Always Ready” legislation and the Resilient Florida program is clear. It has helped shift the conversation statewide from recovery to preparedness, from short-term fixes to long-term solutions. It has empowered communities to move beyond reactive responses and toward proactive investments in prevention, saving taxpayer dollars over time while protecting our quality of life.
In Largo, we are proud to be part of that progress. We will continue to leverage the tools our state leaders have made available, invest in resilient infrastructure, and lead with a proactive mindset that puts our community’s safety and sustainability first.
Because being “always ready” is more than a slogan; it is a responsibility we carry every day.
Woody Brown is the mayor of Largo.