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Flood Information

About Floodproofing

There are several ways to protect a structure and contents and minimize flood damage.

  • Keep the water away by constructing earthen berms and swales. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is not in the floodway.
  • For those properties located along the Gulf side of the island (having beach frontage), the construction and maintenance of a vegetated dune system or the continued maintenance of existing, established sand dunes is an excellent first line of defense to storm surge and associated flooding. The City maintains such a system south of 22nd Avenue.
  • The application of an acceptable waterproofing agent to your walls as well as placing watertight closures over the doorways. This method is recommended and acceptable for multi-family and commercial structures.
  • Another approach is to elevate the structure above the established flood levels as indicated on the City’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps. A small frame construction home can be elevated for less than $15,000. Sound crazy? Not if the property floods repeatedly and has to file repetitive insurance claims. After elevating the structure per the prescribed requirements, floodwaters go under the house reducing potential damages due to flooding. This method is only applicable to single-family residences and duplexes.
  • Many houses, even those not in the floodplain have sewers that back up into the lowest floors during heavy rains. A backflow preventer can stop this if the water does not get more than one or two feet deep. It can be bought at a hardware store for less than $25.00. Contact a licensed plumber about overhead sewers or a backup valve.

These measures described are called floodproofing or retrofitting and are ways to mitigate damage. Additional information is available by contacting the City’s Building Official in the Community Development Department. Information on sand dunes and allowable (native) vegetation may also be obtained from the City’s Parks Division at 727.363.9247. Information is also available at the City’s Public Library.