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Flood Risk
Although we have been fortunate for the past 30 years, Hurricane
Andrew and the 17 inches of rain that fell from Hurricane Irene, remind
us the possibility of flooding exists with every major storm.
Flood Warning System
The City of Pompano Beach, in coordination with Broward County, has a
warning system to notify residents of impending flood danger. Warnings
will be transmitted on public address systems, television, radio,
telephone and on a door-to-door basis. Listen for instructions during
times of flood risk.
Flood Safety
These are precautionary steps to consider before possible flooding:
Listen to radio or television for warnings.
Obey warning and evacuation instructions from disaster officials.
Know your evacuation zone and route.
Take your own essentials (food, toiletries, clothes, blankets,
etc.).
Turn off the electricity and gas before leaving your home.
Bring a battery-operated flashlight.
Be careful at all times, particularly at night, and try to remain
calm.
Flood Insurance
Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover property losses
due to floodwaters. To insure your property for flood damage, you need a
flood insurance policy. If you do not have valid flood insurance,
contact an agent immediately. Property owners can insure property;
renters can insure possessions.
The City of Pompano Beach participates in the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide city residents with the initial
qualification to purchase flood insurance. We applied to FEMA for
participation in the CRS program to enable our residents to qualify for
lower flood insurance premiums.
Property Protection
There are ways to minimize property losses from flood damage,
including:
Move furniture and other household valuables to rooms or spaces in
the upper story of a two-story dwelling or a location higher than
the regular floor elevation in a single story home.
Place sandbags in strategic places around your property prior to
flood status. When sandbags are placed correctly at proper locations
that can slow up and divert floodwaters.
Upgrading your property can include building floodwalls or
elevating a structure.
Major Improvements
The NFIP and the Florida Building Code require the entire
building to conform to the requirements for a new building when building
repairs or alterations exceed 50 percent of the building’s market
value. All applicable building permit applications must conform to this
requirement when submitted to the Building Department. The requirement
may also apply if a building is substantially damaged due to flooding.
Stormwater Management
Stormwater is managed through a system of drainage canals maintained
regularly by our Public Works Department and the Broward County Office
of Environmental Services. Constant water flow through these canals,
especially during heavy storms, is essential to flood prevention in the
city. City and state laws prohibit dumping trash in waterways. Report
violators to Public Works at 954.786.4060.
Rate Reductions
On June 11, 1993, the city received a letter from FEMA commending our
efforts to exceed minimum standards of National Flood Insurance Program
to meet the requirements for a Class 9 rating in the CRS. These actions
earned Pompano Beach residents a five percent discount for NFIP policies
issued or renewed on or after October 1, 1993. In September 1994, the
city received official notification that Pompano Beach residents are
eligible for an additional five percent discount, or 10 percent total,
on flood insurance based on the city complying with the requirements for
a Class 8 rating in the CRS.
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Flood Insurance and
Rating System
For additional information please call
Larry Schuster, City of Pompano Beach Planner, at 954.786.4654.
This
article is required by the
Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to satisfy provisions in the
Community Rating System (CRS) for reduced costs for flood insurance. The
following is offered to Pompano Beach residents to help prevent and
minimize the impact on lives and property caused by floodwaters.
Flood Hazard Map
The City’s Engineering Department has prepared a Flood Criteria Map
identifying flood zones for all properties in the city; it determines
the flood hazard associated with any parcel in the city. The map is
located in the
Building
Department at City Hall.
Additional Information
We urge city residents to contact or visit the Building Department to
determine the flood zone and flood elevation for their property. The
library at the Building Department is available for your reference.
Pompano Beach City Hall is at 100 West Atlantic Boulevard, Pompano
Beach, Florida. The Pompano Beach Branch of the Broward County Library,
located at 1300 East Atlantic Boulevard, has information on flood
insurance, flood protection and floodplain management.
Development Permits
All development (new construction, additions, renovations,
alterations to properties, etc.) in the City of Pompano Beach require a
construction permit.
Natural Habitat
State regulations protect those natural areas that help to reduce the
risks associated with flooding. Along the beach, no new structures are
permitted seaward of the Coastal Construction Line without permission.
Other restrictions prevent some wetland areas from development.
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