CAPE CANAVERAL. Fla. — Three-hundred million dollars in state funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is on the way for 71 projects geared towards helping coastal communities prep for impacts of coastal flooding and storm surge.

Back-to-back storms Ian and Nicole took a toll on parts of Brevard County in late 2022. Strong winds did damage, but flooding also was widespread.

One project on the state’s list is at Center Street on the Banana River in Cape Canaveral, where drainage basin improvements will be made.

It’s traditionally an area prone to flooding when strong storms head that way.

Jennifer Franz cleans the grounds and common areas at Solana on the River condo complex off Center Street. She recalls the effort to ward off flooding during the storms.

“They’ve sandbagged the garages and put up boards when a big storm is coming,” Franz said.

This area is now part of the state’s Framework for Freedom budget, with funding for this year’s Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan.

Cape Canaveral will be getting nearly $500,000 to prepare for the risk of storm surge, heavy rainfall that leads to flooding, and hurricanes.

The money will also be used for Center Street drainage basin improvements.

The city already has a temporary pump to handle large rainfall, but thanks to the new state money, a permanent one will be put into place.

City officials released a statement about the grant that states, “As a barrier island, the city is inherently vulnerable to weather and climate-related hazards. This project will serve to significantly improve the community’s overall resiliency, and will boost its adaptive capacity to handle increasing instances of heavy rainfall and long-term sea level rise.”