The purpose of the project includes developing a better understanding of (1) the dimensions of flood risk in a estuarine system – critical with climate change related impacts, (2) how perceptions of flood risk are related to adaptation and mitigation strategies, (3) how responses to risks vary from one community to another, and (4) how varying perceptions of risk should inform/influence outreach strategies at the local level. The exploratory work has been focused on our central goal of developing an understanding of the social landscape of flooding risk and perception in the target cities -- honing in on Troy, NY as our initial in-depth point of exploration. The work in Troy has entailed a review of local press coverage, 10 semi-structured interviews with local professionals and residents, and 2 neighborhood-based focus groups. Predominantly informed by interviews, focus groups, and relevant literature, our work thus far suggests a series of insights that fall into four thematic areas: (1) Unknown flooding risk; (2) Uneven exposure to material and financial risks; (3) Factors influencing perceptions of risk; (4) Community/Civic capacity. This project seeks to provide valuable insights to inform local outreach strategies around flood risk, adaptation and mitigation.