Stronger Shores, Safer Village
How Coastal & Inland Protections Work Together for Estero
Introduction
Climate change has already exacerbated many weather extremes and has rapidly increased global sea levels, posing a significant threat to coastal communities. Mark Poynting, Climate reporter, BBC News, states, “We’re seeing some unprecedented changes and we’re also seeing the heating of the Earth and sea-level rise accelerating as well.”
Regardless of the cause, over the past decade or so, the rate of heating has been more than double that of the 1970s and 1980s and is estimated to be 25% higher than that of the late 2000s and 2010s. However, about 90% of the excess heat is absorbed by the oceans. That not only causes disruption to marine life but also leads to higher sea levels: warmer ocean waters expand, and melting glaciers add more water to our seas.
The rate of global sea-level rise has doubled since the 1990s, raising the risks of flooding for millions of people living in coastal areas worldwide1.
When storm season arrives in Southwest Florida, preparation is more than just stocking up on bottled water and batteries. It’s also about how our natural and engineered landscapes protect us from the shoreline to the storm drain. Florida is a coastal state with the second-lowest average height above sea level, behind Delaware on the Atlantic coast. However, given the increased threat from category 4 or 5 hurricanes, resulting from higher Gulf temperatures and the resulting higher storm surges, what measures are being taken to mitigate the danger to residents in Southwest Florida?
Lisa Khorey
Communications & Membership Director
What the Coastal Project Did
This year, a major beach fortification project on Estero Island (Fort Myers Beach) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with Lee County and the Town of Fort Myers Beach, has added new defenses to our coastline. While the Village of Estero wasn’t directly involved, this effort still plays a valuable role in protecting inland communities like ours.
The most recent phase of the beach renourishment effort commenced in June 2024, adding hundreds of thousands of cubic yards of sand across a 5.2-mile stretch of Estero Island.
Key outcomes:
- Beach width extended by up to 160 feet compared to 2001 baseline conditions
- Targeted design width of 75 feet to absorb storm surge and prevent erosion
- Reinforced dune systems to act as natural storm barriers
- Engineered to handle a 25-year storm event
These improvements, together with mangrove enhancement, serve as the first line of defense, absorbing wave energy, slowing storm surges, and protecting nearby infrastructures.
What the Village of Estero Is Doing
While we may not manage the beaches, the Village of Estero is actively investing in storm resilience from the inside out.
Efforts include:
- Stormwater Master Plan to improve drainage systems, retention areas, and flow management
- Estero River & Canal Maintenance to prevent backups and reduce upstream flooding risk
- FEMA floodplain updates to reduce insurance costs and guide innovative development
- Coordination with county and regional partners on long-term water management and emergency readiness
- FEMA floodplain updates to reduce insurance costs and guide innovative development
- Coordination with county and regional partners on long-term water management and emergency readiness
Why It All Works Together
Coastal and inland efforts are part of the same storm resilience system. When reinforced beaches weaken the impact of storm surge, and upgraded inland systems control the flow and drainage, the entire region becomes more protected.
Coastal Fortification
- Absorbs surge and wave energy
- Prevents shoreline erosion and loss
- Slows water entering Estero Bay
- Protects barrier island infrastructure
Estero’s Inland Flood Strategies
- Enhances stormwater and river management
- Reduces neighborhood flooding risk
- Improves drainage during peak rainfall
- Builds long-term infrastructure resilience
What You Can Do
- Learn your evacuation zone and routes
- Prepare a storm kit and talk to your family about emergency plans
- Support local infrastructure improvements that increase community resilience
- Stay informed with updates from Engage Estero and the Village
Resilience doesn’t come from one project alone. It comes from working in sync—coast to community—to protect what we love.
References.
- Three years left to limit warming to 1.5C, leading scientists warn: Mark Poynting
Climate reporter, BBC News, June 19th, 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4l927dj5zo
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