FLOOD PROTECTION INFORMATION

The City of Daytona Beach is committed to doing what is environmentally and fiscally responsible to reduce the hazard of flooding to our residents and business owners. Under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) that are used to determine which areas are more prone to flooding. These maps show the areas that are expected to be covered with water when 11 inches of rain falls in one day (24 hours). This event, known as the 100-year storm, has a 1% chance of happening in any given year. The FIRM is the official map of our community on which the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are delineated.

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM & COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM:

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides federally backed flood insurance for communities that participate in the program. The NFIP established the Community Rating System (CRS), to reward the community for doing more than the minimum NFIP requirements to reduce flood damages and losses. Flood insurance premiums are adjusted for the activities that communities initiate to educate and reduce the impact of flooding. The City began participating in the NFIP in 1973. In May 2003, the City was entitled to additional points to change the rating from a Class 9 to Class 7. The Class increase allowed a fifteen-percent (15%) reduction in the cost of flood insurance for policyholders in the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) in the City of Daytona Beach.

NEW FEMA POLICY ON FLOOD INSURANCE FOR STRUCTURES WITH LOWEST FLOOR ONE FOOT OR MORE BELOW THE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION

Effective May 1, 2008, FEMA will institute a new policy: Flood insurance policies for buildings that are rated as having the lowest floor one foot or more below the base flood elevation (BFE) will no longer be eligible for the community’s 15% CRS discount.

This new policy only affects elevation rated buildings. Typically, these are new construction or “Post-FIRM” buildings, not older buildings that qualify for the Pre-FIRM “subsidized” rates.

It only affects buildings in the mapped Special Flood Hazard Area. Buildings in B, C or X Zones are not rated based on the elevation of their lowest floors.

It does not affect properties in V Zones that have approved breakaway walls and the enclosures are unfinished and used only for building access, storage and parking, but were rated based on the enclosed area being the lowest floor.

The policy does not affect buildings that were compliant when they were built, but later a new map changed the flood zone and/or raised the base flood elevation to a level above the lowest floor. These structures can be “grandfathered” so they keep premiums based on the flood zone and/or BFE at the time of construction.

If you are affected by this change there may be ways to retrofit the structure to bring it into compliance. FEMA has provided information in the Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding, FEMA-312. This book can be downloaded from FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/pubs/lib312.shtm.

If you are interested in protecting your home with flood insurance and you want to know if you are in a flood zone you may:

1. Call the Utilities Engineering Division at 386-671-8800 and ask for a flood zone determination, there is no charge for this service for property owners. In most cases, all that’s needed is the street address, if it is a vacant land without an address, the parcel ID number or legal description may be required to determine the location of the property. The City will make every attempt to return a telephone call with in 24 to 48 hours, depending on volume of requests. Please remember to leave your name, telephone number, and the street address of the property. If you need a copy of an elevation certificate for a property address located inside the special flood hazard area (SFHA) built since 1993, call Permits and Licensing Department at 386-671-8140.
2.  Go to the FEMA Web page at http://store.msc.fema.gov. Step by step directions are available to assist you in locating your address and printing an official "Firmette". This is a free service.
3.  Go to the Link hhttps://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/wps/portal to determine the flood risk where you live.
4.  Visit the City Island Library - the library has paper copies of all the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).
5. View our Interactive Flood Zone Map

The decision to purchase flood insurance should not be made solely on whether or not the property is in the 100-year flood plain, or a lender requires it. Flooding occurs in many homes and places of business, which are not in the flood plain.

FLOOD INSURANCE

If you would like to purchase flood insurance contact your insurance insurance agent. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not normally cover damage from floods. Flood insurance can also be obtained through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Since the City participates in the NFIP, a separate flood insurance policy can be obtained for a reduced rate. This type of insurance is backed by the federal Government and is available to everyone, even if your property has been previously flooded. To find out more about this flood insurance, contact an insurance agent. The website http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/inscenter.jsp is very resourceful and can help you choose an agent. It is important to note, there is usually a 30-day waiting period before the flood insurance policy takes effect, so do not wait until a storm threatens before securing flood insurance. You will probably want to include the contents of your home, as most regular policies do not cover contents such as furniture.

Information on flood insurance, flood protection, and NFIP is located in the Public Library at City Island. You can call the NFIP at (888) 379-953, TDD 1-800-427-5593 or visit FEMA’s web site at http://www.floodsmart.gov.

The Florida Department of Insurance (DOI) has published one guide for consumers that are very informative. This guide is easy to understand and contains important information. See http://www.fldfs.com/Consumers/Storm/.

Additional information provided by NFIP/CRS program is available at http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/ and NFIP ASK THE EXPERT also available at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodins/ask.shtm or you can send your concerns to FEMA 500 C Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20472 Phone: (202) 566-1600.

FAQ about Flood Insurance

What does it mean if my community does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

Communities that agree to manage flood hazard areas by adopting minimum standards can participate in the NFIP. The standards are contained in Section 60.3 of the NFIP regulations. Communities that do not participate are subject to the sanctions outlined in Section 202(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Section 202(a) makes flood insurance, Federal grants and loans, Federal disaster assistance, and Federal mortgage insurance unavailable for the acquisition or construction of structures located in the floodplain shown on the NFIP maps.

The map shows that my lot is in the mapped floodplain, but the ground my house is built on is higher. I believe I shouldn't be shown in the floodplain. What are FEMA's requirements to remove land or a building from the 1% annual chance flood hazard area?

To be removed from the floodplain on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a structure must be on land that is not subject to flooding by the 100 year flood. Remember, more severe floods can and do happen, so even if your home is found to be on high ground, it may still be damaged by an extreme flood event.

If your lot or building site is on natural ground that is higher than the Base Flood Elevation shown on the FIRM, then you may request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). To support your request, you will have to get a surveyor to determine the elevation of the ground next to your building and complete an Elevation Certificate. If the ground is higher than the Base Flood Elevation, then FEMA will issue a LOMA. With a LOMA, your lender may choose to not require flood insurance.

If your home was built on fill that was placed after the FIRM was prepared, you may request a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F). As with a LOMA, you will need to get an Elevation Certificate completed by a land surveyor. If the filled ground is higher than the Base Flood Elevation, and if you do not have a basement, then FEMA may issue a LOMR-F, and your lender may choose to not require flood insurance.

What is the "100-year flood"?

The term "100-year flood" is misleading. It is not the flood that will occur once every 100 years. Rather, it is the flood elevation that has a 1- percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. Thus, the 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time. The 100-year flood, which is the standard used by most Federal and state agencies, is used by the NFIP as the standard for floodplain management and to determine the need for flood insurance. A structure located within a special flood hazard area shown on an NFIP map has a 26 percent chance of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30 year mortgage.

I have lived here forever and have never been flooded. Why do I need flood insurance?

The flood hazards shown on NFIP maps are based on the best information available at the time the maps were prepared. In many areas, hydraulic and hydrologic studies were conducted to reflect the long-term projection of flood risk. Because of the infrequent occurrence of flood events and the relatively short history of the NFIP, Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are not based solely on the past flooding occurrences. The fact that a flood hasn't occurred within memory doesn't mean one won't happen soon.

The 100-year flood is a relatively rare event (1-percent chance in any given year), but structures located in the floodplain have a significant chance (26%) of suffering flood damage during the term of a 30-year mortgage. For these reasons, flood insurance is required as a condition of receiving Federal or federally-backed financial assistance.

What elevation is used when rating a structure for a flood insurance policy?

The difference between the lowest floor elevation (including basement) of your structure and the 1% annual chance flood elevation is used to determine the insurance rating. Note: Only buildings are insurable, other structures are not.

My family has lived in our house for many years, and we had a big flood that was called the "100-year flood." We weren't damaged. Why do I need flood insurance?

The term "100-year flood" is often incorrectly used and can be misleading. It does not mean that only one flood of that size will occur every 100 years. The term is a statement of probability that scientists and engineers use to describe how one flood compares to others that are likely to occur. Today, we use the phrase "1% annual chance flood." What it means is that there is a 1% chance of a flood of that size happening in any year. Over a 100-year period, it has a 63.5% chance of occurring. Even more surprising is that over a 30-year period (typical mortgage period) the 1% annual chance flood has a 26% chance of occurring.

To answer your question about why you need flood insurance, you would need to look very carefully at what caused the flood and how high the water near your home rose. Because rainfall amounts are different when a storm moves across an area, a "100-year flood" may occur in some places but not others. There are many factors that can add to flooding, including trash and debris in ditches and culverts, saturated ground, aging infrastructure and numerous other circumstances.

My bank said I'm in the floodplain and have to buy insurance. I don't believe it. What can I do?

If a lending institution is federally regulated or making federally-backed loans, it must review the NFIP maps to determine if the building is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area. The SFHA is the area that is expected to be inundated by a 1% annual chance flood. If the bank makes such a determination, it must require the borrower to purchase flood insurance.

If you disagree with the lending institution's determination, you may request that FEMA review the lender's determination. FEMA will then review the information that the lending institution used, and issue a letter that states whether they agree with the determination. Your request must be postmarked no later than 45 days after the lending institution notifies you of the flood insurance requirement and the submittal must be complete. The request must include all of the information and fees listed in the Letter of Determination Review (LODR) information sheet. If your request is postmarked after the 45-day limit has expired, or if FEMA does not receive all of the information within the 45-day limit, they will not review the determination and the flood insurance requirement stands.

FEMA's responses to these requests are called LODRs, and offer two basic dispositions: (1) the lender's determination stands or (2) it is overturned. FEMA's determination is based on the technical data submitted. If the lender's evidence is inconclusive or the request is incomplete FEMA can disagree with the lender's determination. FEMA's response does not amend or revise the NFIP map for your community. It only states that FEMA agrees or disagrees with your lender's determination.

Occasionally a lending institution may require insurance if it determines that a part of your lot is in the SFHA. The NFIP does not insure land. However, even if you submit evidence that your building is out of the floodplain, the bank may still decide to require insurance on your building.

You can contact your insurance agent or call your community's building permit office. Not only can they tell you if they participate in the NFIP, but they can tell you if you have to get permits before building in a special flood hazard area, or before you add to, improve, or repair damage to an existing floodplain building.

Who can prepare an Elevation Certificate?

Elevation Certificates must be prepared and certified by a land surveyor or engineer, who is authorized by commonwealth, state, or local law to certify elevation information. Community officials who are authorized by local law or ordinance to provide floodplain management information may also sign the certificate.

What do I need to know if my building is in the floodplain?

Buildings in special flood hazard areas shown on FIRMs may be damaged when flooding occurs. Some buildings flood frequently, while others get damaged by only the more severe events.

If your home is in the 1% annual chance floodplain it has a 26% chance of getting flooded over a 30-year period. This means it is about five times more likely to get damaged by flood than by a severe fire!

You should know that usually you can get flood insurance, by contacting your regular homeowner’s insurance agent. FEMA and others recommend that everyone in special flood hazard areas buy flood insurance. If you buy a home or refinance your home your mortgage lender or banker may require flood insurance. But, even if not required, it is a good investment especially in areas that flood frequently or where flood forces are likely to cause major damage.

Another thing you should know is that your community may require permits for remodeling, improving, expanding, or rebuilding your building. In order to reduce long-term flood damage, the NFIP requires that buildings that are substantially improved or substantially damaged become compliant. This means if the cost of the improvements or repairs is more than 50% of the market value of the building, you will have to make the new building compliant with the current code rules for floodplain construction. Usually this means elevating the foundation above the predicted flood level. If you carry a flood insurance policy and have major flood damage, you may be eligible for up to $15,000 more to help pay for the cost of this work.

FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM: In the event of a major storm, the City receives notification from the Volusia County Emergency Management Center and certain City departments are put on alert. Local news media sources such as radio and television are notified and distribute instructions to the public. The City of Daytona Beach works with the Volusia County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to monitor flood, storm threats, and advise the community accordingly. The following sources service the Volusia County/City of Daytona Beach area:

AM/FM RADIO - WNDB 1150, WNDA 1490 AM, US93 93.1, WHOG 95.7, WVYB 103.3

TELEVISION - WESH – 2, WKMG – 6, WFTV – 9, WCEU – TV15

NOAA WEATHER RADIO FREQUENCY – 162.400MHz

VOLUSIA COUNTY - http://www.volusia.org/emergency/

FEMA - www.fema.gov

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE - http://www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb/

In addition, Volusia County has a 2007 Disaster Preparedness Guide at: http://www.volusia.org/storm/default.htm or use the City website http://www.ci.daytona-beach.fl.us/

The Division of Consumer Services Storm Watch site at http://www.fldfs.com/Consumers/Storm/ has a Natural Disaster Guide and links to weather, disaster and insurance information sites.

FLOOD SAFETY: If local authorities have not called for an evacuation, stay home and make emergency preparations. If local authorities have called for an evacuation, follow all instructions and follow a safe evacuation route to shelter. Have a personal evacuation plan to provide for your pets, your personal hurricane supplies and important personal papers and documents. Turn off electricity and gas in your home.

During a flood, the following safety measures should be taken to prevent personal injury and property damage.

Do not walk through a flooded area. Drowning is the number one cause of death as a result of floods, especially flash floods. Currents can be deceptive and as little as six-inches of water can knock a person of their feet. If you must walk through the standing or flowing water, use a pole or stick to see how deep the water is and make sure that you do not enter unexpectedly deep areas.

Do not drive through a flooded area. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. Washouts are not necessarily visible through water surfaces.

Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the local power company or emergency staff, and stay well clear.

Have the power company turn off your power. Some appliances keep an electrical charge even after they have been unplugged. Do not use the appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.

Look out for small animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may use your home to seek shelter. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare them away.

Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors can be covered with debris, such as nails and broken glass. Floors and stairs covered with mud can be very slippery.

Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Never smoke or use open flames unless you know the gas has been properly turned off and the entire area has been ventilated.

Carbon monoxide exhaust kills. Only use a generator or other gasoline-powered equipment outdoors. The same goes for cooking stoves. Charcoal fumes are especially deadly – use charcoal only outdoors.

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES: There are several ways to protect your building from flood damage. Elevation of the structure is a method to permanently retrofit. One way is to keep water away by re-grading your lot or by constructing a small floodwall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if you property is not in a floodway. Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and to place watertight closures over the doorways. This method is not recommended for houses with basements or if water will get over two feet deep. "Wet flood proofing" to modify the structure and relocate the contents is also helpful; so that when floodwaters enter the building there is little or no damage.

When a flood threatens, it is always advisable to take the following emergency actions:

1.  Sandbag to reduce erosion and scouring.
2.  Elevate furniture above flood protection levels.
3. Create floodway openings in non-habitable areas such as garage doors.
4. Seal off sewer lines to the dwelling to prevent backflow of sewer waters.
5. Turn off all the utilities at the main power breaker and shut off the main gas valve if you are evacuating.
6. Keep a battery powered radio tuned to a local station and folow any emergency instructions.
7. Secure or tie down any outdoor items, such as grills, furniture and trash cans.

After a flood it is always advisable to take the following emergency actions:

1. Do not drive or walk through flooded areas.
2. Stay away from downed power lines
3. When inspecting your home or business look out for animals displaced by the floodwaters, particularly snakes.
4.  Call your insurance company immediately if you need to file a claim.
5. Do not turn on your gas or electricity until it has been inspected and is in working order.
6. Do not use open flames while inspecting your home or business. Use a flashlight instead.
7. Boil your water for five minutes before drinking or preparing food. Wait for local authorities to confirm your water is safe to drink.
8. Floodwaters pick up hazardous chemicals, sewage and pollutants. To protect you and your family’s health clean up your home or business immediately.

LOCAL FLOOD HAZARD: Flooding from a storm event comes from several sources including rain, tides, moon phase and the season. The Halifax River, Tomoka River, and the Nova Canal banks can overflow during the wet season when tides are higher than normal in the ocean from offshore storms. Additionally, small canals and ditches can overflow during storm events when tides are high. This flooding can come with little warning. During Tropical Storm Gordon in 1994, entire blocks were flooded with several feet of water. The City has spent millions of dollars improving the stormwater system; however, because the City is very flat and low lying, flooding is always possible throughout the area. Debris from yard waste (i.e. leaves, grass, and small branches) can contribute to clogging the stormwater system and causing the water to back up into streets and yards in low-lying areas. Residents should avoid blowing or raking yard waste into the streets to help prevent clogging the grates and storm water structures.

NATURAL AND BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS: Under natural conditions, a flood causes little or no damage. Nature ensures that floodplain fauna and flora can survive the more frequent inundation, as in the case of the Halifax River. The Nova Canal helps reduce our flood damage by allowing floodwaters to flow from the center of the City to the Halifax River. A large retention pond system at Samuel Butts Park was constructed on Bellevue Avenue to draw water from the adjacent subdivisions. During small events, the water is sent to the park’s ponds to remove pollutants and percolate some of the water back into the ground, improving water quality. During major storms, the City also has the capability of pumping the water from the ponds to relieve neighborhood flooding.

Floodplain Development & Substantial Improvements: All development located within the SFHA requires permitting from the City of Daytona Beach before building, filling, re-grading or otherwise developing the property. Any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or improvement to a structure, equal to or exceeding 50% of the structure’s market value, must conform to current building and floodplain regulation requirements. Please call Permits and Licensing Department at 386-671-8140 for additional information regarding property or structure improvements.

Additional information provided by NFIP/CRS program:

FEMA’s Homeowner Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding is on FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/mat/rfit.shtm.

FEMA’s recent Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage is at http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/pubs/pbuffd.shtm.

FEMA has fact sheets on flood protection at http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/mat/mat_trans.shtm.

The Red Cross has emergency protection measures and preparedness checklist at. http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=46de1a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

FEMA has the latest information on Flood Insurance at http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/index.jsp and at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodins/infocon.shtm.

Post Flood Recovery: Red Cross/FEMA flyer on recovering from a flood is at http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=6cde1a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Also, Volusia County has a 2007 Disaster Preparedness Guide at: http://www.volusia.org/storm/default.htm

Florida Department of Financial Services Storm Watch site at: http://www.fldfs.com/pressoffice/pdfs/RebuildingAfterAStorm.pdf.

Florida Division of Emergency Management www.floridadisaster.org

Volusia County Emergency Management www.volusia.org/emergency/default.htm

Daytona Beach Fire Department-Emergency Management Unit www.dbfd.us/emergency_management%20_unit.htm

National Weather Service-Melbourne www.srh.noaa.gov/mlb

These resources are advertised to meet the requirements of the Federal Program, the Community Rating System (CRS). The re-certification allows residents of the City to continue to receive discounted flood insurance premiums.

What are the different flood hazard zone designations and what do they mean?

Zone A

Zone A is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 100-year floodplains that are determined in the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) by approximate methods. Because detailed hydraulic analyses are not performed for such areas, no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or depths have been determined within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone AE and A1-A30

Zones AE and A1-A30 are the flood insurance rate zones that correspond to the 100-year floodplains that are determined in the FIS by detailed methods. In most instances, BFEs derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone AH

Zone AH is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of 100-year shallow flooding with a constant water-surface elevation (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. The BFEs derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone AO

Zone AO is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of 100-year shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. The depth should be averaged along the cross section and then along the direction of flow to determine the extent of the zone. Average flood depths derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown within this zone. In addition, alluvial fan flood hazards are shown as Zone AO on the FIRM. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone AR

Zone AR is the flood insurance rate zone used to depict areas protected from flood hazards by flood control structures, such as a levee, that are being restored. FEMA will consider using the Zone AR designation for a community if the flood protection system has been deemed restorable by a Federal agency in consultation with a local project sponsor; a minimum level of flood protection is still provided to the community by the system; and restoration of the flood protection system is scheduled to begin within a designated time period and in accordance with a progress plan negotiated between the community and FEMA. Mandatory purchase requirements for flood insurance will apply in Zone AR, but the rate will not exceed the rate for unnumbered A zones if the structure is built in compliance with Zone AR floodplain management regulations.

Zone A99

Zone A99 is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to areas of the 100-year floodplains that will be protected by a Federal flood protection system where construction has reached specified statutory milestones. No BFEs or depths are shown within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone D

The Zone D designation on NFIP maps is used for areas where there are possible but undetermined flood hazards. In areas designated as Zone D, no analysis of flood hazards has been conducted. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements do not apply, but coverage is available. The flood insurance rates for properties in Zone D are commensurate with the uncertainty of the flood risk.

Zone V

Zone V is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 100-year coastal floodplains that have additional hazards associated with storm waves. Because approximate hydraulic analyses are performed for such areas, no BFEs are shown within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zone VE

Zone VE is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 100-year coastal floodplains that have additional hazards associated with storm waves. BFEs derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.

Zones B, C, and X

Zones B, C, and X are the flood insurance rate zones that correspond to areas outside the 100-year floodplains, areas of 100-year sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 100-year stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile, or areas protected from the 100-year flood by levees. No BFEs or depths are shown within this zone.