FILLING IN THE INFORMATION GAP!
WELCOME!
Suzee Bailey
Founder
Residents for Resilience
e
"It's hard to care about what you don't know about."
Residents for Resilience (R4R) was born from a simple question:
Why is it so difficult for residents to find clear, timely, and understandable
information about the health of our waterways?
After a series of major wastewater spills released more than 200 million gallons of wastewater into Fort Lauderdale's waterways, parks, neighborhoods, and streets, I began researching the issue while working on an environmental story. As someone with a background in broadcast journalism, I wanted to better understand what had
happened—and more importantly, how residents could protect themselves.
The deeper I looked, the more I discovered a significant information gap. Water
quality data was often difficult to locate, challenging for the public to interpret, and in many cases outdated. Safety advisories could be inconsistent or difficult to find, leaving many residents asking important questions:
💧 Is it safe to drink the water?
🌊 Is it safe to enjoy our waterways?
🏡 Will stormwater flood my home again?
Those questions became the foundation for Residents for Resilience.
Today, we work to help close the information gap by connecting residents with trusted experts, science-based information, practical solutions, and meaningful opportunities to become part of the conversation.
Our work focuses on four critical water issues:
💧 Safe, clean drinking water
🌊 Flood mitigation and stormwater management
🌴 Storm resilience and coastal protection
🐚 Waterway and marine ecosystem restoration
Through education, communication, collaboration, and advocacy, we help bring together residents, scientists, educators, businesses, environmental organizations, and government leaders to better understand today's challenges while working toward tomorrow's solutions. Because informed communities
build stronger, more resilient communities.
Together, we're building healthier waterways, stronger communities,
and a more resilient future.
Stay Informed • Stay Connected • Stay Resilient
TO RECEIVE OUR FREE NEWSLETTERS
AND INVITES TO SPECIAL RESILIENCY MEETINGS AND EVENTS!
Don’t forget to like us on
Facebook, X, Nextdoor and LinkedIn In
as we share even more informative articles on important water issues!
We can't do what we do with out your support!
"IT’S HARD TO CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT!"
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THANK YOU!!!
The heat index was high.
Fortunately, the afternoon storms never arrived.
But our community did.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Waterlogged: Weathering the Storm at Savor Cinema!
We were incredibly encouraged by the wonderful turnout and by the diverse audience of residents, community leaders, educators, planners, environmental advocates, students, government representatives, and subject matter experts who came together for an evening of learning, discussion, and collaboration focused on flood mitigation, resilience, and the future of South Florida.
The audience engagement was remarkable. From thoughtful questions and personal stories to shared concerns, ideas, and even a song from one attendee, the evening reminded us just how much our community cares about these issues and how valuable these conversations can be.
Special thanks to our partners at WLRN Public Radio and Television, including Interim CEO Tom Hudson, Catie Muñoz, Odie Redila, and James March; the Broward Section of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association and Marilyn Mammano; Hal Axler and the entire #SavorCinema team; our outstanding panelists Stefan Perritano, Trinity Busch, and Frank Balsamo; our Waterlogged Event Chairs Michael Schneider and Pat Roth; and R4R Board members Vice President Tricia Halliday and Patrick Ferguson, whose hard work behind the scenes helped make the evening such a success.
Together, we shared facts, information, options, and hope—and created exactly the kind of meaningful community conversation we hoped for.
Special thanks to FSU Film Student, Owen Ortiz for capturing the evening through his lens and helping us preserve so many wonderful memories from this special event.
Thanks again to all of you for helping us continue to close the information gap surrounding the critical water issues facing our community through education, communication, advocacy, and collaboration.
Stay Informed • Stay Connected • Stay Resilient
FLOOD RECOVERY GRANT APPLICATIONS
NOW OPEN!
Published on June 04, 2026
Flood Recovery Application Portal Open
The City of Fort Lauderdale’s online application portal for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) housing assistance programs is open.
These programs are designed to support residents
impacted by the April 2023 flood event and may include assistance for:
• Home rehabilitation and reconstruction
•Elevation of homes
• Reimbursement for eligible flood-related expenses
• Other recovery and mitigation activities
Residents can apply online at: Fort Lauderdale Application Intake - Smartsheet.com
Residents who need assistance with the application process
can call 954-495-4533 for support.
Additional information, updates and application resources are available on the City’s dedicated CDBG-DR webpage: https://ftlcity.info/CDBG-DR
We encourage residents impacted by the April 2023 flood event to learn more about the available programs and apply if eligible.
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The City of Fort Lauderdale’s online application portal for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) housing assistance programs will open on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. These programs are designed to support residents impacted by the April 2023 flood event and
may include assistance for:
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Home rehabilitation and reconstruction •
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Elevation of homes •
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Reimbursement for eligible flood-related expenses •
-
Other recovery and mitigation activities
Residents can apply online at: Fort Lauderdale Application Intake - Smartsheet.com Residents who need assistance with the application
process can call - 954-495-4533
for support.
To help residents better understand available programs, eligibility requirements and the application process, the City has also scheduled additional community educational meetings. Community Educational Meetings:
Thursday, May 28, 2026 6 p.m. Sanctuary Church –
Banquet Hall 2501 NE 30th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Monday, June 1, 2026 6 p.m. South Side Cultural Arts Center
701 S Andrews Ave. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Residents who are unable to attend in person will also be able to view recordings of the educational meetings on the City of Fort Lauderdale’s YouTube channel. Additional educational meetings are currently being planned. Information on future meetings will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Additional information, updates and application resources are available on the City’s dedicated CDBG-DR webpage: https://ftlcity.info/CDBG-DR We encourage residents impacted by the April 2023 flood event to learn more about the available programs and apply if eligible.
Learn More - https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components/News/News/8425/16?widgetId=41
2023 FLOOD DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS
CDBG-DR Funding Allocation -
Fort Lauderdale Flood April 2023
On December 21, 2024, the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025 (Public Law 118-158)(‘the 2025 Appropriations Act”) made available an allocation of $88,051,000 in Community Development Block Grant -Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding to the City of Fort Lauderdale.
Action Plan
City of Fort Lauderdale has completed an Action Plan for Disaster Recovery. The Plan provides a high-level strategy for how the funding will be used to address eligible communities' long-term resiliency and mitigation needs. The Action Plan was developed with the input from County Departments and Divisions, local jurisdictions, advocacy groups and community partners, as well as citizens, to determine the remaining long-term resiliency needs and the most critical disaster mitigation needs.
Filling the Information Gap!
CLICK EACH PICTURE FOR DIRECT LINKS TO THOSE PAGES
 What If We Retrofitted Holiday Park to Hold Millions of Gallons of Stormwater? |  $88 Million Flood Relief Grant READ MORE |
|---|---|
 What YOU can do to mitigate flooding in your home and neighborhood. |  RETROFITTING PARKS FOR RESILIENCE |
 BAYSHORE PARK- a model of resiliency and sustainability |  🌿 WE WON (for now)— MANGROVES STAY! 🌿. READ MORE... |
 YOUR VOICE MATTERS! Sample Letter Provided CLICK HERE - |  Questions that may need to be asked regarding Artificial Turf - "Plastic Grass"! - READ MORE |
 Is it safe to drink the water? READ MORE |  Arkly Flood Map - Downtown Las Olas High Risk READ MORE |
 Mangroves vs. Warehouse! READ MORE |  Millions of Coral Will Be Affected! Port Everglades Expansion Project READ MORE |
 What is Compound Flooding? READ MORE |  Flood Insurance Discount - Community Rating System (CRS) READ MORE |
 MIAMI WATERKEEPER WATER QUALITY MONITORING RESULTS READ MORE |
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R4R IN ACTION!
Flood Mitigation & Stormwater Management
Helping fill in the information gap by sharing updated flood information, innovative stormwater
management approaches, homeowner preparedness guidance, CRS rating benefits, and available
relief or grant opportunities for flood-impacted residents.
Waterlogged Events
Bringing residents together with top specialists to better understand flooding and storm preparedness,
waterways remediation efforts, storm water management , and exploring innovative resilience solutions.
Mangroves and Coastal Protection
Supporting thoughtful decisions that recognize the flood protection, habitat value, and resilience benefits natural
mangrove systems provide.
Students for Resilience
Engaging and mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders through
education, innovation, and community service.
Artificial Turf & Public Health Awareness
Important questions that may need to be asked regarding the health and environmental concerns linked
to artificial turf (“plastic grass”), including excessive heat, microplastic shedding, vapor exposure, and long-term
impacts on both people and the environment.
Restaurants for Resilience
Recognizing and encouraging sustainable practices within the local business community.
Nature-Based Solutions
Promoting practical approaches such as living shorelines, mangroves, water filtration research,
biochar pilot studies and marine habitat restoration.
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Coastal Projects & Marine Impacts
Addressing major coastal concerns including sand bypass activity, coral impacts near the port,
shoreline changes, and the broader marine and environmental questions linked to coastal construction and expansion.
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Continuing Our Student Partnership
with Florida International University!
A sincere thank you to Florida International University for once again inviting Residents for Resilience (R4R) to partner through their Spring 2026 Writing About the Environment course — an exciting collaboration that continues connecting students with real-world environmental issues
shaping South Florida.
We are especially pleased to continue expanding our partnership with Dr. Marta Gierczyk, and Lucas, Luke Rodewald, and FIU’s Department of English and Community Partnerships program.
As part of this collaboration, we were invited to introduce students to the R4R mission and share our presentation on the four critical water issues that guide our work:
Safe, clean drinking water
Flood mitigation
Storm resiliency
Restoring the health of our priceless waterways
Students will now begin developing environmental storytelling projects tied to real-world environmental concerns, with R4R helping guide project development and connecting classroom
learning to meaningful community impact.
We are always encouraged by the thoughtful questions, ideas, and discussions that follow these presentations. Vice President Tricia Halliday also joined the discussion, helping contribute
to the thoughtful exchange that followed.
Our future looks brighter when students are encouraged to think critically about the environmental challenges facing South Florida and explore how communication, science, and collaboration
can help shape practical solutions.
R4R's Students for Resilience initiative continues to grow by engaging students through:
• mentorship
• project collaboration
• internships
• community engagement
• exposure to scientists, engineers, professors, and environmental professionals
These conversations matter — because informed communities are resilient communities,
and the next generation has an important role to play in shaping that future.
Thank you again to FIU for welcoming R4R into these important conversations!
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Congratulations to Broward County
on another outstanding
Water Matters Day at Tree Tops Park —
A wonderful reminder of how much meaningful work is happening across our region
in support of water conservation, nature-based solutions, and long-term resilience.
A special thank you to Jennifer Jurado, Gregory Mount, and the Broward County’s resilience team for helping make this annual event such a success. It was encouraging to see so many municipalities, civic leaders, students, educators, and community partners come together around this year’s theme: “Reclaim Water, Regrow Nature.”
It was also wonderful to see Broward leaders including Commissioners Nan Rich, Beam Furr, Robert McKinzie, and Steve Geller present in support of this important event and the County’s continued focus on water conservation and nature-based resilience.
The event beautifully highlighted how green infrastructure — including rain gardens, wetlands, tree canopies, and Florida-friendly landscapes — can help mimic natural hydrology, reduce runoff, recharge groundwater, and improve water quality while strengthening community resilience.
It was especially meaningful to thank Commissioners Beam Furr and Nan Rich, for their strong support for nature. A Big THANK YOU goes out to all of the County Commissioners who unanimously voted 8–0 in favor of protecting the mangroves in the Dania Beach Mangrove vs Warehouse discussion!
I also appreciated the chance to share ideas with Alec Bogdanoff of Brizaga regarding possible collaborative efforts, and it was wonderful catching up with our friends from the Sierra Club and Hollywood Resiliency Team's Elaine Franklin who continue doing such important environmental work.
One of the most encouraging parts of the day was seeing students, teachers, and schools recognized for their outstanding work through Broward County’s infographic challenge and NatureScape awards — a reminder that our future looks brighter when young people are actively engaged in understanding and protecting our natural resources.
Events like this help reinforce an important truth: nature-based solutions are not optional extras — they are part of the long-term resilience strategy South Florida needs.
WHAT’S IN YOUR WATER?
I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank Sasha Jones for the opportunity to be part of her NBC series on such an important topic—
drinking water safety. Her thoughtful questions and dedication to raising awareness are truly appreciated, and I'm honored to have
contributed to the discussion.
I'm also incredibly grateful for the wonderful shout-out she gave to Residents for Resilience (R4R). Her support means a lot to us, and it will certainly help amplify our mission to improve water safety and resilience in our communities.
I look forward to following her impactful work!
Watch segment below.
Let’s Work Together -
We welcome collaboration with residents, educators, scientists, civic leaders, students, and organizations who share a commitment to stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Residents for Resilience, Inc.
1314 E. Las Olas Blvd. #727
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
E-Mail: info@residentsforresilience.org
