Design and Engineering - Babcock Ranch's design incorporates existing water systems and mimics them with a network of interconnected ponds and lakes acting as bowls to manage water flow [4][5][6] - The town's elevation strategy involves elevating smaller roads by approximately 3.5 feet, larger roads by approximately 4.5 feet, and homes by approximately 5 feet to direct water towards specific collection points [10] - The community is largely at or above 30 feet, designed to keep homes one foot above water level during a 100-year storm event with 14 inches of rainfall and a four-foot rise in water levels [11] Location and Resilience - Babcock Ranch's location approximately 20 miles inland from Florida's west coast provides protection from storm surge, a major cause of hurricane damage [13] - Responsible development in areas prone to extreme events requires resilience and quick recovery strategies [21] Risk and Mitigation - Traditional grid-like development can impede natural water absorption by wetlands, increasing flood risk [2][3] - Designing to only meet 100-year storm event standards may not be sufficient to prevent flooding over a home's lifespan, as evidenced by multiple 100-year storm events occurring in short periods [17][18]