As climate change accelerates sea-level rise and intensifies coastal storms, communities along the Eastern Seaboard—from Florida to New England—are investing in seawalls and exploring innovative alternatives like living seawalls. These structures are not just engineering feats; they represent a critical intersection of climate adaptation, sustainability, and urban planning.
Florida’s Secant Pile Seawalls: Engineering for Hurricane Resilience
In Florida, the Department of Transportation has nearly completed a $117 million seawall project to protect State Road A1A, a vital coastal artery and evacuation route. The seawalls in Volusia and Flagler counties use secant pile construction—a method involving overlapping concrete shafts drilled deep into the beach and reinforced with fiberglass cages. These walls are designed to last at least 50 years and are buried beneath sand dunes planted with over 142,000 native plants to prevent erosion and maintain a natural appearance. The project emerged from a “Resiliency Strike Team” formed after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole devastated the region in 2022, emphasizing proactive infrastructure planning in the face of recurring storm damage.
New York Harbor’s Storm-Surge Barrier: A Vision for Regional Protection
New York City faces similar threats, particularly from storm surges like those seen during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The proposed New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier would span the mouth of Lower New York Bay and parts of the East River, forming a protective ring around the metropolitan region. While the barrier would remain open under normal conditions to minimize ecological disruption, it could be closed during extreme weather events to prevent flooding. Critics cite the project’s high cost—estimated at $20–25 billion—and potential environmental impacts. However, studies suggest that the benefit-to-cost ratio of such a barrier will increase dramatically by 2040 due to rising sea levels and more frequent storm events.
Living Seawalls: A Sustainable Alternative in New England
In Boston, scientists have installed North America’s first “living seawall” panels in East Boston and the Seaport District. Developed by the Stone Living Lab in partnership with city and state officials, these panels are designed to foster marine biodiversity and improve water quality. Inspired by similar efforts in Australia, the living seawalls aim to transform hardened urban waterfronts into resilient ecosystems. This approach aligns with a growing movement toward nature-based solutions that combine ecological restoration with coastal defense.
Coastal Flooding and Hurricane Season: A Growing Threat
The Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November, has become increasingly destructive due to warmer ocean temperatures and shifting storm patterns. Coastal flooding is no longer confined to major hurricanes; even tropical storms and high tides can inundate low-lying areas. In New York City, “sunny day flooding” is becoming more common, while Florida’s barrier islands face chronic erosion and saltwater intrusion. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the frequency of billion-dollar weather disasters has more than doubled over the past two decades, with hurricanes accounting for a significant share.
FEMA’s Role in Coastal Resilience
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a pivotal role in disaster response and long-term resilience planning. Through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) initiative, FEMA funds projects that reduce future disaster risk—including seawalls, floodgates, and living shoreline installations. However, critics argue that FEMA’s funding mechanisms often favor wealthier communities with the resources to apply for grants, leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk. Recent reforms aim to address these disparities by prioritizing equity and climate adaptation in grant evaluations.
Challenges and Considerations
Traditional seawalls, while effective in protecting infrastructure, can exacerbate beach erosion and disrupt natural sediment flow. A recent New York Times article highlights how some communities are reconsidering their reliance on hard barriers, noting that they often shift erosion problems downstream and may not be sustainable in the long term. Living seawalls and other hybrid solutions offer a promising alternative, but they require rigorous testing and long-term monitoring to assess their effectiveness.
Toward Sustainable Coastal Infrastructure
Sustainable construction practices are increasingly central to seawall design. Florida’s integration of native vegetation and dune restoration, Boston’s ecological panels, and New York’s consideration of floodgates that minimize tidal disruption all reflect a shift toward resilience that respects both human and environmental needs. As sea levels continue to rise—potentially by 3 to 6 feet by the end of the century—coastal communities must balance engineering, ecology, and equity in their defense strategies.
Seawalls, whether traditional or living, are more than physical barriers—they are symbols of how societies respond to the existential threat of climate change. From Florida’s buried fortifications to Boston’s biodiverse panels and New York’s ambitious harbor barrier, the Eastern Seaboard is a living laboratory for coastal resilience. The challenge ahead lies not only in building walls but in building wisely.
John Caravella Esq., is a construction attorney and formerly practicing project architect at The Law Office of John Caravella, P.C., representing architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, and owners in all phases of contract preparation, litigation, and arbitration across New York and Florida. He also serves as an arbitrator to the American Arbitration Association Construction Industry Panel. Mr. Caravella can be reached by email: John@LIConstructionLaw.com or (631) 608-1346.
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Resources:
Florida DOT Capping Off Seawall Construction Project – AASHTO Journal: https://aashtojournal.transportation.org/florida-dot-capping-off-seawall-construction-project/
New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Harbor_Storm-Surge_Barrier
Beach erosion and sea walls – The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/19/climate/beach-erosion-sea-walls.html
Scientists install first ‘living seawall’ panels in Boston – WHDH: https://whdh.com/news/scientists-install-first-living-seawall-panels-in-boston/
