Know Your Flood Hazard

Flooding results from two major sources in the City of Sarasota. Coastal areas are subject to surge and coastal waves from the Gulf of Mexico. Inland areas flood when rainfall accumulates in low, flat areas with inadequate or poorly maintained drainage systems. Rainfall occurs primarily due to thunderstorms in the summer months, with additional rainfall occurring with the passage of hurricanes or tropical systems.

The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is the area that has a 1% chance of being flooded in any given year, or approximately a 25% chance of being flooded over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Smaller floods have a greater chance of occurring in any year and can still create a significant flood hazard.

If you are looking at buying a property, it is a good idea to check out the possible flood hazards before you buy. Most homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.

You may obtain information on flood zones, flood depth, elevation requirements, copies of elevation certificates, Coastal Barrier Resource System (CBRA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps by visiting the Development Services Department or calling the flood information line 941-263-6354.

Insure Your Property and Contents for Your Flood Hazard

One of the best protection measures for a building with a flood problem is National Flood Insurance Policy (NFIP), which is purchased through any property insurance agent. If the building is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), there is a mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for all federal or federally related assistance mortgages. Be sure to include the cost of a flood insurance policy in your mortgage and financial planning. In the City of Sarasota, regardless of where your property is located, owners and renters are eligible for flood insurance.

Standard property insurance policies do not cover losses from a flood event.

The City of Sarasota is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes it possible for the City property owners to obtain federally backed flood insurance. This flood insurance is available to any owner of insurable property (a building or its contents). Renters can obtain coverage for their personal property, even if the owner does not buy structural coverage on the building. Flood insurance is affordable, and it is available no matter what your risk. We urge all persons who live or own property in high-risk flood hazard areas (AE and VE flood zones) to purchase flood insurance to protect themselves from flooding losses. A home in a high-risk area has a 25% chance of being damaged by a flood over the life of a 30-year mortgage.

You don’t have to live in a floodplain or high-risk area to purchase flood insurance. Even those structures located in low-to-moderate-risk areas (X & X500) should carry coverage. Nearly 1 in 4 flood insurance claims are paid on policies in low-to-moderate-risk areas. Don’t wait until it’s too late! There is normally a 30-day waiting period from the date of application before the coverage goes into effect. For more information, call your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Risk Rating 2.0 Flood Insurance Information:

The flood insurance rating is changing. Risk Rating 2.0, (RR 2.0), is in process and all flood insurance policies are moving to actuarial rates or true risk rates. Starting October 1, 2021, new flood insurance policies are being written with the new methodology for the actuarial flood risk rate. Effective April 1, 2022, all renewing policies will move towards actuarial flood risk rates.

Individual property’s risk factors will be used to calculate flood insurance rates, such as:

• Foundation type,
• Elevation above ground,
• Structure replacement cost,
• Frequencies of a variety of flood types,
• Distance to flooding type/source. Coast, Ocean, River

Existing statutory limits on flood insurance rate increases require that most rates not increase more than 18%per year. The premium goes from year to year and the rate change will only happen at renewal.

Only your insurance agent can tell you how this change will affect your policy.

Please contact your flood insurance agent or go online at https://www.floodsmart.gov/  for information.

For more information on Risk Rating 2.0, RR 2.0, go to https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/risk-rating.

Flood Insurance Eligibility:

You are eligible to purchase flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. You are also eligible for a discounted rate if your community participates in the Community Rating System, CRS.

The City of Sarasota along with all the property in Sarasota County are eligible for flood insurance and the CRS discount.

Protect People from Flood Hazards

Did you know that the initial damage caused by a flood should not be your only concern? Standing flood waters can also spread infectious diseases, contain chemical hazards, and cause injuries. Each year, flooding causes more deaths than any other hazard related to thunderstorms. The most common flood deaths occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood waters. Fortunately, you can take steps to protect yourself, your family, and your home.

There are several actions that you can take to mitigate the flood hazard, including:

• Know the flood warning procedures.
• Plan escape routes.
• During times of heavy rainfall, monitor the level of water and stay tuned to radio of TV for possible flood warnings.
• Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the Local Government/Emergency Management in your area.
• DO NOT attempt to cross a flooding stream or area on foot or by car.
• DO NOT walk-through moving water. Six (6) inches of moving water can make you fall. 
• Turn around, Don’t drown!
• If a vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car, and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
• As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
• Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains.
• Be especially cautious at night.
• If you find that your home was flooded, practice safe clean up. Remove and throw out drywall and insulation that was contaminated with floodwater or sewage. Throw out items that cannot be washed and cleaned with a bleach solution: mattresses, pillows, carpeting, carpet padding, and stuffed toys. 

Protect Your Property from Flood Hazards

Retrofitting structures can minimize flood damage. There are a number of measures that can be taken to help protect a property against flood damage including but not limited to retrofitting, regrading around a structure to create positive drainage away from the structure, correcting local drainage problems, and emergency measures such as moving furniture and installing sandbags. Retrofitting measures can include major projects such as elevating the whole structure or less costly measures such as elevating electrical panel boxes, water heaters and furnaces. Washer, dryers, and other appliances can also be elevated or moved to areas less likely to flood. Keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. FEMA has A Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting, and Protect Your Property From Flooding, online to explain steps you can take to help protect your property.

If flooding is likely, and time permits, emergency measures to minimize damage during a flood situation can include, putting essential items at a higher level, removing furniture, properly securing structures and glass, sandbagging, and following proper evacuation procedures.

Flood proofing manuals and information on retrofitting techniques are available for review in the Building Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, and the reference section of the library. Technical advice on construction techniques can be received at the City Building Department.

If requested, City staff can visit a property to review flooding concerns and make suggestions on ways to minimize flooding. Contact the Building Division at 941-263-6455 to schedule an appointment. This service is free.

Build Responsibly

Citizens, especially those with properties located in a SFHA (Special Flood Hazard Area), are encouraged to contact the Building Department prior to building, repairing, filling or otherwise developing their property, to determine what permits are needed. Early contact eliminates confusion as to regulations and helps avoid delays in permitting.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, regulations require that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a structure equal or exceeds 50% of the structure’s market value, the building must be upgraded to meet the same construction requirements as a new building. To get specific information, you can contact the Flood Zone Specialist prior to planning any construction at 941-263-6491.

A “substantial improvement” is any repair, reconstruction, alteration, or improvement to a structure, that equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of the structure either before the start of construction of the improvement, or if the structure has been damaged or is being restored, before the damage occurred. As with substantial damage, buildings that are substantially improved must meet the same construction requirements as new buildings.

Building new construction above the Base Flood Elevation is cost effective and the City of Sarasota requires that new or substantially improved buildings be built at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation. Building above that may discount your flood insurance premiums even more.

A recent study by the National Institute of Building Sciences shows that every $1 spent on hazard mitigation saves taxpayers $6 in future disaster costs.

Protect Natural Floodplain Functions

Protecting floodplains and open spaces helps all residents. The benefits and functions of a floodplain include flood protection, improved water quality, recharged aquifers, improved wildlife habitat, recreational industries (like kayaking and fishing), and sustainable agriculture (Source: The Nature Conservancy).

Floodplains help reduce flood damage by allowing water to spread over a large area. This reduces the speed of flood water and provides flood storage to reduce peak flows downstream. 

The City of Sarasota has adopted the Sarasota City Plan, which provides for environmental protection and preservation of recreation and open space. Our goal is to see that our natural features such as Lido Beach and our many fine parks that are located in flood-prone areas remain underdeveloped so they can serve their natural function.

Hurricane Preparedness

When it comes to spreading the word about hurricane preparedness, it truly is everyone’s responsibility. Spreading the word about surviving the storm to friends, neighbors, coworkers, and other people you know is the most effective way to let them know about the threat we face from these storms.

Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage.

Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. Follow the basic preparedness tips;

• Know where to go.
• Prepare and maintain a disaster kit.
• Gather supplies for at least three days.
• Evacuate if told to do so.
• Make a family communications plan.
• Keep important documents in a safe place.
• Protect your property.
• Review insurance policies.

Flood Economics

Floods are the most common natural disaster, damaging public health and safety, as well as economic prosperity. The impact of a hazard event upon the community, economy, and tax base is directly dependent upon the severity of the event. A situation with a Hurricane with a 10-foot storm surge has the potential impact of loss of life, particularly if hospitals are not accessible due to debris obstructing the transportation arteries or if residents in low lying areas refuse to evacuate when ordered to do so. Loss of property, utility service, and personal security also has a direct impact on the ability of the businesses to conduct commerce. Businesses must be prepared to contend with a reduction in the number of employees who are able to work, even if their physical facilities are able to continue operation, if the homes of their employees are severely damaged as a result of a hazard event.

Flood mitigation goes beyond dollars and cents. The benefits of mitigation cannot be overstated. Community leaders are driven to take action in order to:

• Avoid property losses.
• Avoid business and education interruption.
• Benefits the ecosystem.
• Avoid loss of critical infrastructure.
• Revitalized neighborhoods.
• Improve public open spaces.
• Enhance public safety.
• Increase competitiveness of the community.

Sea Level Rise

The City of Sarasota is very susceptible to the potential impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR). The region has experienced 8 inches of sea level rise since 1944, when official federal records began for the Tampa Bay area. Not only will projected increases in sea level affect homes and infrastructure along the coast, but more frequent inland flooding can occur due to high tailwater conditions that can diminish the stormwater system capacity to send runoff to the Gulf of Mexico.

Not only will projected increases in sea level affect homes and infrastructure along the coast, but more frequent inland flooding can occur due to high tailwater conditions that can diminish the stormwater system capacity to send runoff to the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2018, the City of Sarasota adopted its Climate Adaptation Plan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate climate threats to public infrastructure to understand how sea level rise (SLR), storm surge, extreme precipitation, and extreme heat might impact the City of Sarasota’s transportation networks, stormwater management, water supply, wastewater systems, public lands, and critical buildings. It has helped them understand where the City is vulnerable, and where to incorporate into the CIP workflow or apply for grants.

The City of Sarasota is part of the Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition. To date, 31 local governments have adopted the Memorandum of Understanding, which defines that the Coalition will develop the Regional Resiliency Plan to address sea level rise, climate change and resiliency. 

Protect Your Pets During a Flooding Event

If you are like millions of animal owners nation-wide, your pet is an important member of your household.

Preparing now makes sense. Pets need a lot of the same things people do except they are not welcome everywhere. You need to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Stay informed if an event is headed your way and know what you are doing with the pets in advance. Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, particularly food and water.

The likelihood that you and your animals will survive an emergency such as a fire or flood, tornado or terrorist attack depends largely on emergency planning done today. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as assembling an animal emergency supply kit and developing a pet care buddy system, are the same for any emergency. Whether you decide to stay put in an emergency or evacuate to a safer location, you will need to make plans in advance for your pets. Keep in mind that what’s best for you is typically what’s best for your animals.

If you evacuate, take your pets with you if possible. However, if you are going to a public shelter, it is important to understand that animals may not be allowed inside. Plan in advance for shelter alternatives that will work for both you and your pets. Do not leave you pet home alone if you evacuate. You do not know when you will be able to return home.