Key Largo Neighborhood Breaks 3-Month Mark For Ocean Flooding; No Routine Sheriff's Patrols

The Key Largo neighborhood of Stillwright Point has become the poster child of what to expect from global sea level rise. Most of the streets in the subdivision of 215 upper-middle-class and luxury homes have been underwater for more than 90 days, a saga that has made news across the world. Water levels began to ebb this month, but the diluvial ordeal has left a lasting impact on residents who worry about their future quality of life in the bayside neighborhood.

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The situation has gotten so bad that the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office isn’t sending deputies into the neighborhood on routine patrols. Adam Linhardt, spokesman for the sheriff’s office said deputies may ask residents to meet them in a drier place so their patrol cars don’t get corroded by saltwater. The sheriff’s office is going into the neighborhood for emergency calls. “We’re not actually driving our cars in the saltwater because the sheriff has to protect the taxpayers’ fleet. But, if it is a life-or-death situation, we will get to you come hell or high water,” he said.

Residents wanting immediate action from the five-member commission didn’t get it this week. Commissioners instead unanimously voted to fast-track a study of the neighborhood that will include modeling and future sea level rise projections. The study is also expected to cover what it would take to elevate the roads and the project’s cost.

The streets of Stillwright Point are among the 314 miles of county roads expected to be a part of a complete Monroe study. Rhonda Haag, the county’s head of resilience, said elevating them all in preparation for sea level rise would cost more than $1 billion.

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https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article238269018.html