Flood Protection FAQs

A floodplain is any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source. A Special Flood Hazard Area is the land in the floodplain within a community subject to a one (1) percent chance or greater of flooding in any given year. These zones are designated with an “A” or a “V”.

Manatee County is an extremely flat area which consists of numerous wetlands and floodplains. During rainfall, these areas provide temporary and natural storage for excess water. During our dry season, low lake levels, dry sloughs, creeks, drains and other dry retention areas do not appear to be in a flood hazard area, creating a false impression that flooding is not a problem. To mitigate flood hazards, Manatee County has purchased some of these areas.

A storm surge is an abnormal rise in the sea level, 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across the coast near where the “eye” of the hurricane makes landfall. The surge of high water, topped by waves is devastating. Along the immediate coast, storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property.

 

Historical Flood Prone Areas in Unincorporated Manatee County

Flooding in Manatee County results primarily from tidal surge and associated wave action along the coastal areas of the county caused by tropical storms and from overflow of the rivers, creeks, sloughs, etc., caused by rainfall runoff in other areas. Some of these sources include:

Manatee River	Gamble Creek	Buffalo Canal
Little Manatee River	Gap Creek	Wares Creek
Lower Manatee River	Frog Creek	Miguel Bay
Braden River	Rattlesnake Slough	Terra Ceia Bay
Myakka River	Pearce Drain	Anna Maria Sound
Bowlees Creek	Cedar Hammock	Intracoastal Waterway
McMullen Creek	Drainage Canal	Sarasota Bay
Tampa Bay affects the mouth of Manatee River

This list is not inclusive as Manatee County has many creeks, sloughs and other watercourses that have been studied and mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and incorporated on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

A current survey of your property may contain the flood zone category under the comment section. Land information maps showing flood zones are available on the county website here for general reference only. You will need to activate "FEMA Flood" on the Live Maps tile. You can search by owner, address, or property tax i.d. number. If the flood zone starts with "A" or "V", these are the high risk zones and flood insurance is typically required; X5 is considered moderate risk and X low risk and flood insurance is not typically required. For detailed information, please contact the Floodplain section.

The Development Services Department also offers written documentation. For a fee, we will provide a flood information determination. Along with this, we will provide a copy of the Elevation Certificate, if available, and the portion of the Flood Insurance Rate Map on which the property lies, both historical FIRM and current FIRM.

If your structure is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and start of construction was after January 1, 1975, an Elevation Certificate was required to verify that your lowest habitable floor meets the minimum elevation. Some Elevation Certificates are available at our Elevation Determination and Certificates pages. Copies are available in Records Management. You may contact them at (941) 748-4501, ext. 6888.

No -- statistically, there is a 26% chance over the life of a 30-year mortgage of experiencing a flood. However, because Manatee County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone. If you have a mortgage that is federally funded or insured and your structures are in a Special Flood Hazard Area ("A", "AE", "VE") on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, you will be required to have flood insurance. Along some of the bays in Manatee County, land has been designated as part of the Coastal Barrier Resource System. Flood insurance is not available for structures substantially damaged/improved or for new construction in these areas. The Development Services Department Floodplain Section can show you where these areas are located. If you currently have flood insurance, verify the dollar amount and make sure you have contents coverage. The absence of prior flooding problems does not ensure that future flooding will not occur. Areas outside the Special Flood Hazard Area (X shaded and X unshaded) may also flood and account for approximately 20% of all flood claims and receive one-third of Federal Disaster Assistance for flooding. The rates in these zones are reasonable and you may qualify for a Preferred Rate policy. Contact an insurance agent for more information or visit the official National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) website.

Manatee County also is a participant in the Community Rating System (CRS) program of the NFIP. The CRS rewards communities that undertake flood damage mitigation and public awareness activities beyond the NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance policies in the Special Flood Hazard Areas receive a 25% discount and policies within the Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas receive a 10% discount.

If your structure is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and the cost of repairs/rehabilitation equals or exceeds 50% of its market value before it was damaged or altered, this is considered substantial damage or substantial improvement, and the structure must be elevated to the same requirements as new construction. The Development Services Department Floodplain Section will verify if the construction is a substantial damage or substantial improvement. A building permit will be required for any work.

Some common protection methods which can help reduce flood damage are:

• Elevating the structure above the flood elevation
• Relocating the structure outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area
• Adding flood panels over all openings below the flood elevation

For information on methods of protection, you may contact the Building Department/Floodplain Section.

Helpful publications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting
• Design Manual for Retrofitting Residential Structures
• Floodproofing Non-Residential Structures

These publications are also available at the Central Library. They may also be ordered by calling the FEMA Distribution Center at 1-800-480-2520. Information on protecting your structure is also available from the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).

Any alteration to your building, changing the existing grade, or fill activities in the floodplain requires a permit. Contact the Development Services Department prior to commencing any work for permit requirements. To verify if a contractor is licensed and insured, or to report unsatisfactory services from a contractor, please contact the Licensing Section of the Development Services Department at (941) 749-3047.

If requested, the Public Works Department or Development Services Department Floodplain Section will visit a property to review flood problems and offer suggestions to prevent flood damage, call (941) 708-7497 or (941) 748 4501, ext. 3843. The solution may be as simple as putting a swale along your property lines.

Caution: Do Not Walk or Drive Through Flood Waters

Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, and more people drown in their cars than anywhere else in an area flooded. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you must walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure the ground is still there. Do not drive around road barriers, the road or bridge may be washed out. The number two flood killer is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the FPL Company at (941) 917-0708, 1-800-4OUTAGE, Peace River Electric Cooperative Inc at (877) 282-3656, or call 911.

Flood waters may be contaminated with oil, gasoline or raw sewage. Direct contact may cause serious health problems.

Residents around Lake Manatee are warned by a siren system when floodgates are opened to reduce the dam water/lake level due to large volumes of rain. The Utilities Department provides a telephone information line, (941) 746-3020, that provides Lake Manatee water and release levels.

Door-to-door warning sometimes can also be accomplished with law enforcement or fire department vehicles' public address systems. Flood warnings can be received directly from the National Weather Service by NOAA Weather Alert Receivers. These units are available from local electronic stores.

Manatee County Emergency Management has the ability to warn geographical areas via an automated telephone notification system. When the Emergency Operations Center is activated, Emergency Management will post the latest weather advisory and opened shelters on its website, Emergency Management homepage. The storm track will also be provided for a tropical storm or hurricane. Manatee Government Access (MGA-TV), the county cable channel, will be utilized to broadcast information to the public.

Additional television and radio news sources include:

Bay News 9	WFTS Channel 7	WFLA Channel 8
WTSP Channel 10	WTVT Channel 13	WJIS-FM 88.1
WMTX-FM 100.7	WYNF-FM 105.9	WCTQ-FM 106.5
WFLA-AM 970	WBRD-AM 1420	WWPR-AM 1490

 

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All manufactured/mobile home residents in the county must evacuate at all evacuation levels.

You can protect your family and property. A personal disaster kit should include:

• Prescription drugs
• Portable radio
• Water for seven days in clean containers
• Hygiene items
• Batteries
• Important papers
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight
• First aid kit

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Other appropriate actions to take in preparation of a disaster:

• Listen to weather information updates
• Plan a flood-free evacuation route and destination and notify family/friends of that destination
• Clear your yard of loose objects
• Protect your windows and glass doors
• If sewer lines are damaged or backed up, avoid flushing toilets
• Secure your boat
• Turn off the main water, gas, and electric supply
• Move valuable contents to a safe area
• Clean and disinfect anything that got wet from flood waters
• Find evacuation zones on the Emergency Management home page. You may also locate your evacuation zone by referencing Manatee County's Public Safety Interactive Maps. 
• Shelter information can also be found on the Interactive Maps.

For assistance in locating your evacuation zone, route, shelter, or to register for special needs evacuation assistance, contact the Department of Public Safety at (941) 749-3500 or Manatee 311 by dialing 3-1-1 (or 941-748-4501 if calling from outside Manatee County).

Do not dump or throw anything into drainage ditches or streams.

It is a violation of Manatee County Ordinances 85-11 and 86-7 to dump grass clippings, branches, or any other debris. The debris can accumulate, plug channels, and contribute to flooding. If your property is next to a ditch or stream, keep the banks clear of brush and debris.

• Illegal dumping: Utilities - (941) 792-8811 ext. 4969
• Debris or blockage in County maintained ditches and streams:  Stormwater/Drainage - (941) 708-7497
• Sewer drainage or backup problems: Utilities Operations - (941) 795-3411
• Water main break: Utilities Operations - (914) 792-8811 ext. 5268 or ext. 5216
• Building activity without a permit: Development Services Department - (941) 748-2071