Meanwhile, it's already impossible to ignore flood impacts on Market Street: One business owner recalls two occasions where she had to close for the day because "the area was undriveable — you'd need a boat."

But implementing the plan remains an uphill battle: The town has yet to secure needed money and anticipates continued difficulty as the Trump administration slashes climate initiatives. Locally, personnel changes and community engagement pose additional challenges.

Four years ago, the large-scale, long-term proposal quickly drew widespread attention for a multi-tiered strategy that includes buyouts of a neighborhood expected to become uninhabitable, the revitalization of an outdated area of town, and the opportunity to keep community members in Warren.