Floodplain Links and Resources

The City of Atlantic Beach has active stormwater management program to help protect property in the city from future flooding. Most stormwater in Atlantic Beach is localized and will dissipate quickly; however, heavy stormwater activity may be caused by local conditions, large storms, or hurricanes. As such, the City is always seeking ways to reduce the impact of heavy stormwater activity on residential and commercial property.

Meanwhile, here are some things you can do to prepare for flooding:

• Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your house when a flood comes.
• Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go to.
• Make a household inventory.
• Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.
• Put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a handy place.
• Develop a disaster plan.
• Get a copy of “Repairing Your Flooded Home” from www.redcross.org.
• Never put leaves or storm debris in the stormwater inlets.
• Avoiding flood damage - National Weather Service National Hurricane Preparedness - BE READY
• Are you Jax Ready?
• City of Jacksonville Preparedness & Response Guide 2020-2021
• CIUDAD DE JACKSONVILLE GUÍA DE PREPARACIÓN Y RESPUESTA 2020-2021 (Spanish version of City of Jacksonville Preparedness & Response Guide 2020-2021)
• FEMA Office of Response and Recovery
• Weather.gov Southeast River Forecast Center - Local rainfall and flooding data

Consider these permanent flood-protection measures:

• Mark your fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to the floodable areas. Turning off the power to such areas can reduce property damage and save lives.
• Consider elevating your house above flood levels.
• Check your building for water entry points. These can be low windows, entrances, doors, and dryer vents. These can be protected with low walls or sandbags.
• More information can be found in “Homeowners’ Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding” from www.fema.gov. (Some flood-protection measures may need a building permit, and others may not be safe for your type of building, so be sure to talk to your Building Department.)

Get a flood-insurance policy:

• Homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because the City of Atlantic Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the U.S. government and is available to everyone, even properties that have been flooded. Because Atlantic Beach participates in the Community Rating System, you will receive a reduction in the insurance premium.
• Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they received their mortgage or refinanced their property. Usually, these policies just cover the building’s structure; consider having coverage for the contents.  When is flood insurance required?
• Contact your insurance agent for rates and coverage information.
• Don’t wait; in most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect.
• Visit https://www.floodsmart.gov/ for the National Flood Insurance Program information.
• FEMA Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
• Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
• Flood Insurance Overview - Florida Division of Consumer Services
• City of Jacksonville Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS)

Contact the Building Department at (904)247-5813 or Building-Dept@coab.us for more information.