(1) The Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation is established within the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to coordinate efforts between the academic and research institutions of the state. The University of South Florida College of Marine Science or its successor entity will serve as the lead institution and engage other academic and research institutions, private partners, and financial sponsors to coordinate efforts to support applied research and innovation to address the flooding and sea level rise challenges of the state.
(2) The hub shall, at a minimum:(a) Organize existing data needs for a comprehensive statewide flood vulnerability and sea level rise analysis and perform a gap analysis to determine data needs.
(b) Develop statewide open source hydrologic models for physically based flood frequency estimation and real-time forecasting of floods, including hydraulic models of floodplain inundation mapping, real-time compound and tidal flooding forecasts, future groundwater elevation conditions, and economic damage and loss estimates.
(c) Coordinate research funds from the state, the federal government, or other funding sources for related hub activities across all participating entities.
(d) Establish community-based programs to improve flood monitoring and prediction along major waterways, including intracoastal waterways and coastlines, of the state and to support ongoing flood research.
(e) Coordinate with agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Environmental Protection and water management districts.
(f) Share its resources and expertise.
(g) Assist in the development of training and in the development of a workforce in the state that is knowledgeable about flood and sea level rise research, prediction, and adaptation and mitigation strategies.
(h) Develop opportunities to partner with other flood and sea level rise research and innovation leaders for sharing technology or research.
(i) Conduct the activities under this subsection in cooperation with various local, state, and federal government entities as well as other flood and sea level rise research centers.
(3) The hub shall provide tidal and storm surge flooding data to counties and municipalities for vulnerability assessments conducted pursuant to s. 380.093(3). The hub shall provide rainfall-induced and compound flooding datasets; however, more localized data or modeling may be used. (4) The hub shall employ an executive director.
(5) By July 1 of each year, the hub shall provide an annual comprehensive report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that outlines its clearly defined goals and its efforts and progress on reaching such goals.
