SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Flooding is a leading cause of death and damage during a hurricane, so it’s crucial to know your flood risk.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides flood maps on their website where you can enter your address to see what zone your property is located in.
According to FEMA, flood maps help mortgage lenders determine insurance requirements and help communities develop strategies for reducing their risk. The mapping process helps you and your community understand your flood risk and make more informed decisions about how to reduce or manage your risk.
Joe LoFaso is an engineer with Seminole County’s Public Works Department. LoFaso constantly studies Seminole’s topography to predict flood risks. He emphasizes the importance of understanding where water collects and how it relates to flood zones.
“It’s always important to review the FEMA flood maps because they’re going to give you a general inclination of any given storm event where the greatest inundation is going to occur,” LoFaso said. “So that helps us plan where we want to deploy resources or other things during an emergency event or where we want to look at for future improvements.”
The information collected by LoFaso and the county is eventually sent to FEMA to update flood maps, a process that can take years. The last update for Seminole’s FEMA maps was over 15 years ago.
Alan Harris has been Seminole County’s emergency manager since 2006 and notes that flooding has changed significantly over the past two decades.
“Prior to 2004, it was really a historical look at flooding. We hadn’t really had a lot of flooding because there hadn’t been a lot hurricanes. In 2004, we experienced some flooding because of the three hurricanes, Charley, Frances and Jeanne,” Harris said.
The worst flooding didn’t come from a hurricane, but rather Tropical Storm Fay in 2008.
“2008 was historic. It broke all the records for flooding in Seminole County. So, we had to go out and do flood mapping. We had to do flood gauge assessments because the water had never got to that level. So, we didn’t know at 11 feet, what is it going to do to these roads? What is it going to do to those areas?” Harris said.
“It was not a hurricane; it was a tropical storm. It was a very slow-moving tropical storm. It hit the state of Florida quite a few times. It actually came through, went out to the Atlantic Ocean, turned around, came back over us and then back out to Gulf of Mexico and then up into the Panhandle. A very slow-moving storm, never a hurricane over the Central Florida area, but an incredible amount of water that was dumped into our area, about 15-18 inches of water.”
Seminole County now utilizes new mapping technology that enhances accuracy in predicting flood-prone areas.
“We can look at things now through topography and GPS to see where water will collect,” Harris said.
This technology has led to some residents being removed from flood maps while others find themselves newly categorized as being in a flood zone.
Regardless of your flood zone status, both Harris and Florida’s Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie encourage all Florida residents to purchase flood insurance.
“I’m not in a flood zone, but I still have flood insurance,” Harris said. “Things can happen, storm water systems can get clogged up due to tree damage and other issues.”
You can contact your property insurance company directly for a quote. There’s also a link to get a quote on FEMA’s website. Depending on your property, premiums vary, but on average run from $400 to $1,200.
4 takeaways
Check to see if you live in a flood zone or area prone to flooding
You can find out if you live in a flood zone by looking up your address on FEMA’s flood map. You can find your official flood map, access other flood hazard products and check out tools for a better understanding of flood risk.
FEMA continually updates the map, so you’re encouraged to check it regularly.
Purchase flood insurance
According to FEMA, it typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect, so keep that in mind as you prepare for hurricane season. Homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. You can get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Homeowners and renters can purchase flood insurance. Even if you live in a low-risk flood zone and flood insurance isn’t federally required, you can still purchase flood insurance.
Prepare before the storm hits
Download the News 6 Weather App for the latest on hurricanes and other tropical developments in the area.
FEMA encourages homeowners to protect their property by moving valuables to higher levels and decluttering drains and gutters. The agency also suggests installing check valves in sewer lines to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home. Homeowners can also use sandbags to help prevent flooding inside their home.
Store supplies so you can grab them quickly if you need to evacuate
FEMA suggests storing emergency supplies in a “go bag” so you can grab it quickly before leaving. The agency said you should keep in mind people’s needs, including medications. Keep important documents in a waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies.
Evacuate if necessary
If authorities are advising you to evacuate your home, do so immediately. If floodwater is present on roads, bridges or the ground, don’t cross it. Avoid moving water as it has tremendous power.
If you’re trapped, call 911 and give your location to first responders. If you’re in a building, go to the highest level. Only go onto your roof if necessary and signal for help. If your vehicle is trapped in fast-moving water, stay in the car. If water is rising in the car, get on the roof. If you’re outside, move to higher ground.
Only return to your home when authorities say it is safe.