Infrastructure

The flooding that occurred on January 22, 2024, left Coronado grappling with severe consequences: flooded streets, submerged cars, damaged homes, and over $10 million in damage to city infrastructure. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projects more frequent and intense storms resulting in sea level rise, storm surge, and torrential rain. Given the nearly flat topography of our sea-level city, it is imperative Council take action to mitigate to the degree possible this triple threat by addressing stormwater drainage. Coronado’s outdated stormwater and wastewater systems are in urgent need of upgrade. The city is currently conducting studies to assess what improvements are necessary to modernize these systems. Concurrently, City staff should be directed to [1] evaluate other sea-level cities’ mitigative actions and [2] investigate securing funding through programs like the Inflation Reduction Act that offer grants to rectify climate-related infrastructure deficiencies. Upgrading Coronado’s drainage issues should be a top priority capital improvement. Concurrently, planning must look at the issue holistically, factoring in Coronado’s mandated housing growth and the further demands this will place on the City’s infrastructure.