Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: September 24, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P. E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Michael J. Drozeck, P. E., CFM, Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-7945
DIVISION: Stormwater Management Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval and execution of U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Grant Agreement Agreement Number: PROT-25-0025-FL in the amount of $1,000,000 for the Orange County Real-Time Flood Forecasting Project. The project performance period is from August 25, 2025 to September 30, 2029. No match is required. All Districts. (Stormwater Management Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program with the objective of enhancing the resilience of surface transportation infrastructure against adverse weather events and natural disasters, including storms, flooding, wildfires, and sea level rise. The program supports a range of initiatives including resilience planning, infrastructure improvements, evacuation route enhancements, and the protection of vulnerable coastal assets.
The PROTECT Program comprises two principal components:
The Formula Program, which allocates $7.3 billion from fiscal years 2022 through 2026 directly to State Departments of Transportation; and
The Discretionary Grant Program, which provides $1.4 billion in competitive grants to states, local governments, tribal entities, and other eligible applicants, with an emphasis on projects addressing at-risk coastal areas.
In August 2023, Orange County submitted an application under Notice of Funding Opportunity 693JJ323NF00013 for the Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program. The proposed project involves the development and deployment of a Real-Time Flood Predictive Model to improve forecasting of flood events up to 72 hours in advance of storms and hurricanes. This predictive capability is vital to enhance Orange County’s emergency preparedness and response.
In April 2024, the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program awarded $829.6 million in grants to 80 recipients nationwide. Orange County was selected to receive funding in the amount of $1,000,000.
On August 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration issued a Grant Agreement (Agreement Number: PROT-25-0025-FL) to Orange County. This agreement has been reviewed by the Risk Management Division and the County Attorney’s Office.
Funding Summary
FHWA Share: $1,000,000
County Share: $ 0.00
BUDGET: N/A