Flood

Flooding is the temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry - it can happen even in areas that aren't coastal or near bodies of water.
Severe flooding typically occurs when intense rain falls over a short period of time or rainfall is prolonged (over several days) - in each case, water accumulates faster than soils can absorb it or rivers can carry it away. Flood damage is not covered by standard property insurance - consider flood insurance, regardless of your FEMA flood zone letter.

In addition to damaging roads, vehicles, buildings, and plant life, flood waters carry dangerous debris, sewage, toxic chemicals, pesticides, fertilizer, pet waste, and germs that spread infectious diseases. Remember that flood conditions also displace outdoor animals and bugs - beware of snakes, ants, rats, roaches, gators, and other wild critters looking for dry ground!

Floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning. Being flood-ready protects property and saves lives.
Learn the difference between flood advisories, watches, and warnings and know the flood risks for your neighborhood!

Flash floods are exactly what the name suggests: floods that happen in a flash! Intense rain can bring more water than the soil can absorb. Excess water quickly overwhelms storm drains and ditches, rising significantly in a short amount of time.
River floods occur when river water overflows the banks and covers the land nearby. They can be caused by heavy rainfall, dam failures, blocked waterways, or the natural watershed system. Designated River Forecast Points are monitored by the National Weather Service, which classifies riverine flooding based on water height and impacts.
Coastal floods generally occur with a land-falling storm systems or seasonally with above-average high tides. The excess rain and seawater inundate low-lying wetlands and dry land, increase the flow of salt water into estuaries and the aquifer, and erode shorelines.

Failing to evacuate flooded areas, entering flood waters, or remaining after a flood has passed can result in injury or death

Graphic of storm cloud, hour glass and power lines flash with text saying floods come from rain storms, surge, and other water systems, can develop with with no warning, and cause power outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings, and create landslides overflow dams

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and maintains large Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the entire country. FIRMs assign each mapped area a Flood Zone Letter "Grade" based on the likelihood and type of flooding, including potential depth and velocity.

To get a FIRMette (a smaller version FIRM) of your neighborhood, Click HERE and enter your address.

Zones with a grade of A or V are considered high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) with a 1% chance of experiencing severe flooding in any given year (a "100-year flood") - that means a 26% chance of flood damage during a 30-year mortgage period.
Zones graded B, C, or X have a moderate to low risk for damaging floods (0.2% chance each year, a "500-year flood") but still account for 20-25% of NFIP claims each year.

Residents in unincorporated Nassau County and the City of Fernandina Beach benefit from discounts on flood insurance rates garnered through the jurisdiction's participation in the NFIP Community Rating System and proactive floodplain management.

Take steps now to mitigate residential flood damage by flood-proofing your home.
Use these links to find more Flood Safety Tips and FEMA's Flood Planning Toolkit for Businesses.

Flood Zones

Graphic heading says Prepare Now surrounded by a Blue Circle

Before

During

After

Sign up for Flood Watches and Warnings through the AlertNassau notification system.
Keep your home flood-ready. Declutter drains and gutters. Install plumbing check valves. Consider installing a sump pump with a backup battery. Move valued items to higher levels in the house.
Prevent potential mosquito breeding grounds. Regularly clean birdbaths and water bowls; bring in or drain and cover outdoor items.
Consider having environmentally friendly larvicide like Dunks on hand to put into standing water after heavy rains to keep disease-causing mosquitoes from multiplying.
Homeowner’s insurance does not cover damage from flooding. Get coverage for potential flood losses through the NFIP.
If you use well water, the FDOH Bureau of Environmental Health encourages annual Private Well Testing and these CDC well-water safety measures.
Make a Plan. Identify and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response.
Build a Kit. Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately or if services are cut off. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget pets' needs.
Keep important documents like insurance and vaccination records in a waterproof container. Photograph documents and property to create password-protected digital copies.
Learn when and how to use sandbags properly to divert flowing water.

Listen to local news and public safety officials for current emergency information and instructions.
Ensure tap water is safe for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
If you have a well that might be affected by flooding, ensure the water is treated before use.
If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Turn off utilities at the main power switch, close the main gas valve, and go to the safe location that you have identified.
Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. Turn Around - Don’t Drown. Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside. If water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on its roof.
If trapped in a building, go to its highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic. You may become trapped by rising flood water. Go onto the roof only if necessary to signal for help.

Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Avoid driving, except in emergencies. Do not visit disaster areas. Your presence may hamper rescue and other emergency operations.
Avoid contact with floodwater, it is contaminated and can contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
Do not enter a flood-damaged home or building until it has been cleared by authorities. Be extremely careful; water can cause walls to collapse, ceilings to fall, etc. Document damage and contact your insurance agent.
Conduct clean-up safely.
If the house has been flooded, anything the floodwater has touched should be considered contaminated. Assume it has mold; enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out at least 30 minutes. Snakes and other animals might also be inside. Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch wet electrical equipment.
Wear heavy gloves and boots.
Dump out any standing water in gutters, tarps, bowls, flower pots, birdbaths, etc. to help control mosquitoes.
Follow food safety guidelines; clean and sanitize surfaces that have been flooded; make sure food is not contaminated or spoiled.
Authorities may issue a drinking-water advisory after a flood. Follow this link for steps to take during a "boil water notice."
If you have a private well, make sure it is disinfected and tested before using the water after a flood. Learn how to disinfect your well after an emergency.
Only use generators or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors and well away from windows.
Follow debris removal guidelines for the separation of flood-damaged items for disposal. Do not put used sandbags in the trash for pick-up.