Annual Outreach Letter 05.01.2018Date
ANNUAL OUTREACH LETTER
Dear Atlantic Beach Resident,
You have received this letter because your property is in, or near, an area that has been flooded several times, or FEMA flood zones have changed in your area. The City of Atlantic
Beach is concerned about repetitive flooding and has an active stormwater management program to help protect you and your property 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. <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:
Check with our Public Works Department (904-247-5834) on the extent of past flooding in your area. Department staff can tell you about the causes of repetitive flooding, what the City
is doing about it, and what would be an appropriate flood protection level. City staff can visit your property to discuss flood protection alternatives.
Prepare for flooding by doing the following:
Know the flood guidance contained this letter.
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.
Collect and put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a handy place.
Develop a disaster plan.
Get a copy of Repairing Your Flooded Home, which can be found on the Red Cross internet website.
Never put leaves or storm debris in the stormwater inlets.
Consider some permanent flood protection measures:
Mark 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. You will find these at
http://www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/lib312.shmwww.fema.gov/hazards/floods/lib312.shm
Note that 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.
Talk to the Building Department and get a flood insurance policy:
Homeowner’s 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 Federal 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 and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in your area, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. Be
sure you have coverage for the contents.
Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage.
Don’t wait for next flood to buy flood insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect.
If you have any questions or need additional information please contact me at 904-527-5813.
Sincerely,
Dan Arlington, CBO,
Building Official
XC: City Manager, Public Works Director, Building and Zoning Director