You Can Help Prevent Flooding in Your Own Neighborhood

Special Supplement Use this guide to Saving money, Being prepared Ways to greatly reduce Contact info for property for flooding our impact on assistance within learn about: and lives and hurricanes water resources Savannah & Chatham Co.

Flooding happens in Savannah, Chatham County, and Surrounding Municipalities As a flat, low-lying coastal region, the a 24-hour period on areas of Chatham Ogeechee rivers and Springfield, Casey, the risk of structural flooding in our natural landscape of our community puts County. Since 1948, Chatham County and Placentia, Pipemakers and Harden canals community, but given our geography various locations within the County and City the surrounding municipalities have flooded have increased vulnerability to flooding. that risk will never be eliminated. at risk for flooding during any long periods more than 15 times due to storms that With such close proximity to the Atlantic Through emergency preparedness and of moderate rainfall or during high volume, produced 4 inches of rainfall or more. There Ocean, we’re also at serious risk for the responsible environmental actions, you short duration rainfalls. Local structural are more than 1,700 dwellings on record that flooding and damage caused by hurricanes. can help reduce some causes of flooding flooding during major storms dates back to flooded during those same weather events. Your City and County governments and protect your family in the event of a 1811 and as recent as July 2007. On June 29, Areas around local waterways such as have invested hundreds of millions of dangerous weather event. 1999, more than 12 inches of rain fell within the Wilmington, Vernon, Forest Grove and dollars over the past 20 years to lessen

A publication jointly presented by: How Prepared are You? Tips For Protecting Your Valuable Property A Guide to Help Keep You Above Water In the course of a 30-year mortgage, there is a 26% chance You Can Help Prevent Flooding in Your you might experience a flood. Take steps Own Neighborhood to protect your property from flood or Residents can help prevent leaves, trash, and other debris. hurricane damage: localized flooding by keeping Simple actions make a big • Buy flood insurance well in the ditches, culverts, and difference in how well this advance of storm season. Policies storm drains of our stormwater system functions. often have a 30-day waiting period before going into effect, making system clear of yard waste, You should always properly it essential to plan ahead for coverage. collect and dispose of yard • Keep the ditches and drains on your property clear of leaves and waste, including leaves. Raking debris. Report Blocked or blowing debris into the street • Elevate or move furniture and electric items such as TV, stereos, can contribute to flooding. and vegetation that would or local law enforcement appliances and electrical panels. Storm Drains and Litter in the street can cause impede the flow of water. agencies. People caught • Install backwater valves or plugs for drains, toilets, or other Illegal Dumping problems with drainage as It’s illegal to dump trash, dumping can face jail time and/ sewer connections to keep floodwater from entering your well. Any type of debris can grass clippings, leaves or other or a fine as outlined in County home. City residents: Call 311 become entangled in culverts materials including chemicals, Code 24-708 or the City’s Code • Schedule a flood preparation site visit from the City or County. County residents: and shallow streambeds and oil, gasoline or household 4-11004 and 5-2005. Please Staff will assist property owners with issues related to flooding, Call (912) 652-6840 stormwater drainage and address any site-specific flooding reduce drainage causing the products into ditches or other refer to the Point of Contacts Online: Chatham County concerns. The service is provided free of charge. Please refer to the water to back up. Be sure to drainage systems. If you see Table on the flood map for other Point of Contacts Table on the flood map. Connect App keep drainage ditches on your illegal dumping, report it to the communities. • Elevation certificates (EC) of newly constructed or substantially property free of debris, foliage local public works department improved buildings and benchmark locations may be obtained, when requested in writing, from the Chatham County Department of Engineering. New, EC are downloadable from each community on their Flood webpage. Please refer to the City and County Be Prepared: Before, During, and After Flood Resources Table. storms (install storm shutters, and trucks. Remember: • Determine if retrofitting your property would be beneficial. Retrofitting means to alter the building to eliminate or reduce reinforce garage doors, etc.) turn around, don’t drown. flood damage. There are several options to consider: elevation, • Buy flood insurance. Flood Drowning is the number one flood barriers, dry flood proofing, and wet flood proofing. There damage is not covered by cause of flood-related deaths, are several references in the public libraries on retrofitting and followed by electrocution. additional documents pertaining to floodplain management topics. homeowner’s insurance. It’s See the FEMA guide on retrofitting your house against flooding. affordable and easy to obtain. • If you are caught at home Visit www.fema.gov for more information. The library at 2002 Bull Renters can secure flood by rising water, move to the Street has copies of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and additional damage coverage for their second floor or the roof. flood protection literature. personal property. Take your disaster supply kit • Store materials like sandbags, plywood, lumber and plastic sheeting • Do you have questions with you. in case of a serious flooding threat. These materials can help minimize the damage caused not only by flood waters, but also or concerns? Evacuation • If evacuation is required and damage by hurricane force winds. routes and the locations of you can safely do so, turn off emergency shelters can be all utilities at the main power found in the phonebook and switch and close any gas online. Check the “Resources valves. Stay Informed: Understanding on the Web” and “Contacts” • On the road, watch for and tables inside this publication avoid floodwaters, fallen the Flood Warning System for more information. debris and power lines. Before a flood or hurricane • Understand the flood Locally, the Chatham heard on the NOAA weather warning system and know During a flood After a flood Emergency Management radio broadcast at frequency Because flood water can Agency (CEMA) manages the 162.40. • Know your flood hazard. the safest route to high, safe Danger does not end when rise quickly, be prepared to flood warning system. Once Local evacuation Check with the Chatham ground. flood water recedes. evacuate before the water level CEMA receives a potentially routes can be found in County Department of reaches your property. dangerous warning, sirens the phone book. For Engineering at (912) 652- Visit Chatham Emergency • Return home only when will be activated as well additional information, 7800 or City of Savannah Management Agency (CEMA): www. authorities indicate it is safe. • Stay informed during a as the Local Emergency contact CEMA at 912-201- Development Services at chathamemergency.org or call (912) • Hidden structural damage 201-4500 to find out about the flood weather event. Information Network system 4500 or visit the website at: (912) 651-6530 to find out may make a building unsafe. warning system and what evacuation which interrupts television chathamemergency.org what flood zone you are in • Follow evacuation orders route you should use. • Have a professional check and radio programs to give and what the Base Flood when issued. your heating, electrical further instructions. Elevation is for your lot. • Prepare a family disaster • Move to higher ground if system, and appliances for With 95% of Chatham Flood Warning kit. Learn more at: www. you can do so safely—but DO safety prior to using. County’s population System: Know ready.gov NOT attempt to walk, drive, Note that flood zone determination • Don’t use any food or covered by an emergency Your Terms requests are to be made in writing and or swim through moving • Prepare your home. Learn water that was exposed to warning siren, CEMA can can be faxed to Chatham County at how to turn off the gas and water or flooded areas. Flood Watch (912) 652-7818 and (912) 651-6543 floodwaters. activate individual siren Be on the lookout electricity to your house and Just 6 inches of fast moving for the City of Savannah. You can get • Dry your house slowly sites in the immediate area for flooding do so if flooding is imminent. water can knock a person a good idea of your flood zone and but thoroughly. Pump out to alert individuals who risk from the map included with this Protect your home against off their feet and less than 2 Flood Warning flooded basements slowly to are not near a TV or radio. publication and www.sagis.org. Please high winds associated with feet of swiftly moving water Flooding is occurring avoid structural damage. Information can also be refer to the Point of Contacts Table on the hurricanes and tropical can sweep away heavy cars flood map for your area. Special Supplement

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Paulson Norwood Gate School Park Lake Of Fun Oakhurst Park Avenue/wylly Mayer Largo Mayfair Memorial Is land Park Woods White Rivers Stadium Sugar Haaf Bluff End Mill PaRrivkers Elementary Dutch End/lyndhurst Lotts Wilshire Is land/parkersburg Skidaway Is land Estates St James River Haneys Place Chevis Paradise Creek Road/ogeechee Farms Savannah Park Is le Of Mall FHoeraetsht erwood Hope White City Gun Bluff Windsor Club Lake Armstrong- Forest High Halcyon atlantic Bluff Armstrong Schl Runaway Atlantic Negro Point of Contacts to determine your flood zone, elevation Armstrong Windsor Field Windsor Creek certificates, and additional flood information Atlantic State ForesFtorest Park Uni versity Sandfly Windsor CHATHAM COUNTY (1)* Community Codes: Code 24-708 Savannah Forest Golf Is le Of Country Michael Blakely, CFM Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-652-6840 Course Ve rnonburg Hope Lavida Day Schl Floodplain Administrator/CRS Program Manager Report drainage and flooding through the “Chatham County Connect” River Bell's Country 124 Bull Street, Room 430, Savannah, GA 31401 App downloadable from Google Play or the Apple App Store Landi ng Club Berkshire Office: 912-652-7814 City Flood Web Resource: http://engineering.chathamcounty.org/ Woods Fax: 912-652-7818 Flood-Zones Wormsloe Colonial Bethesda [email protected] Contact For Site Visits: 912-201-4300 Oaks Cedar Boys Jones Narrows www.chathamcounty.org Georgetown Grove Home Vallambrosa Nature Park CITY OF SAVANNAH (2)* Community Codes: 4-11004 and 5-2005. Tom McDonald, CFM Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 311 Peachtree Hoover VERNONBURG Canal Creek Permitting/Floodplain Manager City Flood Web Resource: http://www.savannahga.gov/ Whitfi eld 5515 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31405 index.aspx?NID=936 Park Pinpoint Butte rbean Office: 912-651-6530 ext. 1895 Contact For Site Visits: 912-651-6530 Valambrosia Canal The Branches Beach And Fax: 912-651-6543 Crusader Boat Ramp Coffee [email protected] Park Skidaway UNINCORPORATED Bluff/nicholsville Friday www.savannahga.gov Ship yard Narrows Creek Creek Moon River CITY OF THUNDERBOLT (3)* Community Codes: 10-201 Southfield Beaulieu Canal Caroline Hankins, MPA Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-354-5533 Five Town Administrator City Flood Web Resource: http://www.thunderboltga.org/ Docks Canal Hous ton Breakfast 2821 River Drive, Thunderbolt, GA 31404 Flood-Information SAVANNWAalkeHr Creek Canal Rockfish Creek Burnside Office: 912-629-4650 Contact For Site Visits: 912-354-5533 Creek Is land Skidaway Fax: 912-354-2038 Marsh Elbow Is land Red Dock Is land [email protected] Canal Canal Grove www.ThunderboltGA.org River CITY OF TYBEE ISLANDZon (4)*e CommunityRis Codes:k Sec. 16-620 Flood Insurance Ve rnon Burnside George Shaw Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-472-5043 River River Planning & Zoning Manager City Flood Web Resource: http://www.cityoftybee.org/ PO Box 2749, Tybee Island, GA 31328Floodway Contact ForH Siteig Visits:h 912-472-5033 Required Office: 912-472-5033 or 912-472-5030 Rose Dhu Fax: 912-786-9539 [email protected] Franklin www.cityoftybee.org Creek A High Required People caught Skidaway Is land/the CITY OF POOLER (5)* Community Codes: Sec. 42-187.2. Landi ngs Kimberly Classen, CFM Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-748-4800 dumping can face Zoning Administrator/CRS Coordinator City Flood Web Resource: http://www.pooler-ga.us/ Delegal 100 Highway 80 SW, Pooler, GA 31322A E flood-protection-home.htmlHigh Required jail time and/or a Creek Office: 912-748-7261 Contact For Site Visits: 912-652-6840 [email protected] fines as outlined Crooked Creek www.pooler-ga.us VE High Required in the community Green Ella CITY OF GARDEN CITY (6)* Community Codes: Sec. 82-212 Is land Ron Alexander, MCP, CBO, CFM Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-629-2296 codes. Harvey Is land Building Safety Director, Garden City X_500 City FloodM Webo Resource:dera http://www.gardencity-ga.gov/te Av ailable Creek 100 Central Avenue, Garden City, GA 31408 index.aspx?page=250 Office: 912-966-7777 Contact For Site Visits: 912-963-2756 [email protected] www.gardencity-ga.gov X Low Available Cornfield SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS Creek CITY OF PORT WENTWORTH (7)* Brian Harvey Bryan County Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-653-4511 e

Development Services Christine Williams, CFM City Flood Web Resource: http://www.bryancountyga.org/ n 305 S Coastal Hwy, Port Wentworth, GAU 31407nincorporated Chatham County Zoning Admin. CRS Program Manager flood_protection/index.php i Office: 912-964-4379 Bryan County Planning and Zoning Contact For Site Visits: 912-756-3177 L Fax: 912-966-7429 Office: 912-756-3177 Green Border between Municipalities Is land h [email protected] [email protected] Sound

www.cityofportwentworth.com www.bryancountyga.org c ! Flooded Structure t

CITY OF BLOOMINGDALE (8)* Community Codes: Sec. 78-408 EFFINGHAM CO. Community Codes: Sec. 30-375. - Penalties a Charles Diane Proudfoot Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-784-0970 Morgan Chamberlain Contact For Reporting Dumping and Flooding: 912-754-2141 Creek

Asst. City Clerk/Zoning Administrator/CRSC hCoordinatoratha m CCityo Floodun Webty Resource: Can http://www.bloomingdale-ga.com/als County Engineer City Flood Web Resource: http://www.effinghamcounty.org/ M City of Bloomingdale FloodInfo.html 601 N. Laurel Street, Springfield, GA 31326 DepartmentsRW/WaterResources/FloodProtectionInformation.aspx Hell P.O. Box 216, Bloomingdale, GA 31302 Contact For Site Visits: 912-748-0268 (912) 754-2111 Contact For Site Visits: (912) 754-2123 Gate Office: 912-748-0970 [email protected] Ogeechee Fax 912-748-1005 DFIRMS DATE: July 7, 2014 www.effinghamcounty.org River [email protected] Raccoon www.bloomingdale-ga.com City of Rincon City Flood Web Resource: http://www.cityofrincon.com/ INSURANCE ADVOCATES Key Travis Grubbs services-planning.htm Jeff Brady Walter Corish TOWN OF VERNONBURG (9)* Building and Zoning Inspector [email protected] [email protected] Jimmy Hungerpiller Floodplain Manager 5859 Abercorn St., STE 1, Savannah, GA 31405 6811 Waters Ave, Savannah, GA 31406 Special Supplement Mayor, Town Of Vernonburg 912-826-5996 or 912-210-6227 Office: 9123653815 Office: 912-354-2424 Office: 912- 790 7660 [email protected] www.rountreebradyinsurance.com www.corishinsurance.com [email protected] www.cityofrincon.com (*) Jurisdiction’s Property Identification Numbers (PIN) begin with this number Unincorporated Chatham County and the City of Savannah Flood Prone Areas Review the attached map to determine if you are in or near a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If you need assistance in making this determination or need a Flood Zone Determination Letter based on the current or historical Flood Insurance Rating Map (FIRM) please contact the Chatham County Department of Engineering at (912) 652-7814 or the City of Savannah Development Services Department at (912) 651-6530. See above chart for your area. You can also review flood zone, Letter of Map Amendment and benchmark map information at www.sagis.org. Other maps and flood information can be viewed at www.msc.fema.gove (FIRMettes) and by visiting the Flood Protection page on both the Chatham County’s web page at www.chathamcounty.org and the City’s at www.savannah.gov. Special Supplement What You Need to Know About Flood Insurance Does my homeowner’s insurance cover Natural Resources (DNR) continues to update flood damage? NO. The standard homeowner the maps under the Risk Map program that is or commercial policy does not cover damage currently addressing costal surge inundation for caused by flooding (rising waters). To protect thirteen counties along the Georgia coast. The your property you must buy a flood insurance project is on track for the new maps to take effect policy. Flood insurance can cover the structure in 2016. See the next question and the web site alone or cover a combination of the structure and http://www.georgiadfirm.com/CSLF.html# for contents. Renters can buy coverage for contents, additional information. even if the owner does not have structural coverage. A house has a higher percentage of What happens if my property changes from flooding than suffered from a fire, yet many low-risk to high-risk because of new Flood homeowners do not complain about carrying Insurance Rate Maps? With new maps, you fire insurance. There is normally a 30-day waiting will likely be required to protect your building period before flood insurance goes into effect; and its contents with flood insurance if you it is essential to plan ahead. Contact your local have a mortgage. Flood insurance rates for insurance agent to get a flood insurance policy. some financial assistance is available, but to address the flood modeling and mapping high- risk areas are higher, but there are usually for only short-term housing and not uncertainties associated with Flood Insurance ways to save money with the National Flood How much does flood insurance cost? The repairs. Flood insurance is the only sure way to Rate Maps. Because the risk of flooding is Insurance Program “Grandfather Rule”. Under average flood insurance premium in Georgia is be reimbursed for some of your flood losses. reduced significantly, Freeboard results in much NFIP administrative grandfathering, Post- less than $500 per year. Contact your insurance For more information contact your community lower flood insurance premiums. Freeboard is FIRM buildings in the Regular Program built in agent to determine exact cost. flood plan representative listed on the Point of required by both the flood ordinances of the City compliance with the floodplain management Contacts Table on the flood map. of Savannah and Chatham County. regulations in effect at the start of construction If I rent my home, can I buy any form of flood will continue to have favorable rate treatment insurance? YES. Renters can obtain coverage What does the City and County do to make What is the Coastal Barrier Resources Act even though higher Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) for their personal belongings and the contents of flood insurance more affordable? Because (CBRA)? The Coastal Barrier Resources Act or more restrictive, greater risk zone designations their home, even if owner of the property does the City of Savannah and Chatham County (CBRA) protects coastal areas that serve as result from Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) not insure the home itself. participate in the National Flood Insurance barriers against wind and tidal forces caused by revisions. Buildings constructed in compliance Program, subscribe to the Community Rating coastal storms, and serve as habitat for aquatic with earlier maps or continuously covered by If I live in a low risk area and my System program and have highly rated flood species. CBRS boundaries are established and flood insurance stay in their original rate class insurance agent says I do not need management programs, homeowners here mapped by the U.S. Department of Interior’s when maps change or properties are sold. See flood insurance what should I do? Many times receive special flood insurance premium Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) which only www.FEMA.Gov for more information or contact homeowners and renters are misinformed. discounts not available to homeowners living Congress can revise CBRS boundaries. To your local insurance advocate (see point of Flooding can occur outside the high risk area. in neighboring jurisdictions. This means manage development, limit property damage, contacts table on the flood map). In Savannah, of the reported 1700 flooded that if you live within the City of Savannah and preserve wildlife and natural resources, structures, 53% of the buildings were in the or Unincorporated Chatham County, you CBRA restricts Federal financial assistance, Is there any help to bring non-conforming, Low risk area. Many home owners in a low- are eligible for a 25% discount on their flood including disaster relief assistance provided by flooding structure into compliance with lying coastal region like Chatham County could insurance premiums. The UCC saved 11,799 the Federal Emergency Management Agency local ordinances? Yes. Increased Cost of benefit from flood insurance. flood insurance policy holders in the SFHA a (FEMA) under the Robert T. Stafford Act and the Compliance Coverage is now available through total of $3,098,642 on premiums last year, or an NFIP. The NFlP cannot provide flood insurance the National Flood Insurance Program and pays When is flood insurance required? Anyone can average of $263 per policy. The COS saved 2,581 coverage for structures built or substantially up to $30,000 to help property owners bring a buy flood insurance but it is required in certain SFHA policy holders $679,771 or an average of improved after the area is designated as a non-compliant structure into compliance with conditions. If you buy a house in a designated $263 per policy. CBRS unit (initial designations went into effect our Flood Damage Protection Ordinance. The high-risk flood zone and receive a mortgage loan October 1, 1983). Minimum NFlP floodplain structure must have flood insurance, be within from a federally regulated or insured lender, your What is Freeboard and how does it benefit management standards do not prohibit the the designated “High Risk” flood zone and the lender is legally bound to require you to maintain me? Freeboard is a safety provision that refers rebuilding of substantially damaged buildings community must declare the structure to be flood insurance. to elevating a structure’s lowest level a few feet in CBRS units. However, such structures must substantially damaged or repetitively flooded. above predicted flood elevations (generally 1-3 meet the community’s floodplain management Increased Cost of Compliance Coverage claims Will Federal disaster assistance pay for flood feet). Storm waters can and do rise higher than regulations, and NFlP coverage is not available will only be paid on flood-damaged homes damage? Federal disaster assistance is available shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Freeboard for such structures. Lenders should exercise and businesses, and can only be used to pay for only if the President declares a disaster. Typically, helps protect buildings from storms larger than special care with properties in or near these costs of meeting the floodplain management assistance is a loan that must be repaid with those that Flood Insurance Rate Maps are based areas. ordinance in our community. Increased Cost of interest. Following a Federal disaster declaration on, and provides an added margin of safety Compliance Coverage is part of the maximum When and why do FIRM change? Maps change $250,000 payout set by the National Flood as money becomes available from congress Insurance Program. For more information on Resources on the Web or a local government performs a detailed ICC coverage, call your insurance company Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov study. Developers can produce Letter of Map or agent, or call the National Flood Insurance Flood Smart www.floodsmart.gov Amendments (LOMA) in the course of the Program toll-free at 1-800-427-4661. Georgia Environmental Protection Division www.gaepd.org permitting process. Chatham County has seen Georgia Emergency Management Agency www.gema.state.ga.us maps changes throughout the years to include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration www.noaa.gov 2008, 2013 and 2014. Georgia Department of Georgia Department of Natural Resources www.gadnr.org The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension www.ugaextension.com Georgia Association of Floodplain Management www.gafloods.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water.epa.gov National Wetland Inventory http://www.fws.gov/ wetlands/data/mapper.html Critical Habitat http://ecos.fws.gov/crithab/ Only Rain Down the Drain!

Floodplains Benefit Everyone Natural floodplains ecosystems. By making wise building exceeds 50% of the generally include marsh areas land use decisions in the buildings value, the activity and low lying areas along canals development and management is considered a “substantial and rivers. Floodplains provide of floodplains, beneficial improvement.” This may fish and wildlife habitat, fertile functions can be protected require that the building be STOP Yard clippings, tree limbs and trash can soil for plant growth and act and negative impacts to the considered new construction It’s Against clog up the storm drains and ditches like reservoirs, storing excess quality of the environment can and be brought up to current the Law! causing street and yard flooding (even rainfall and runoff. Open be reduced. See Water Quality floodplain development with moderate rainfall). parks such as the Henderson, topic on how to protect these standards. Additional Wilmington and Bacon Park. natural habitats. County and City floodplain Golf Courses also act requirements may apply. Please as natural floodplains. Building and Developing see the last question in Flood Polluted Waters Can Cause: Chatham County and the in Floodplains Insurance Frequently Asked City of Savannah also have Most activities in the Questions section above for barrier islands such as Little floodplain—such as grading, additional information. Tybee, Ossabaw, Cabbage and placing fill, building a new Wassaw Islands that serve as structure/addition, or natural protective barriers to repairing/ remodeling an Report Illegal incoming hurricane forces existing structure—require a Development such as wave attacks, and permit. serve to reduce tidal and wind Development within a City residents: Call 311 energies in addition to acting floodplain has the potential County residents: as natural aquatic habitats, to impact flood levels. If not Call Dept of Public Works • Closed recreation areas and beaches due to wetlands, marshes and properly designed, it may (912) 652-6840 Enterococci and E. coli levels estuaries. Continued filling in make flooding worse on your Online: Chatham County • Tainted seafood due to algae blooms of these areas for development property and your neighbor’s Connect App coupled with environmental property. All new construction • Oily film or foul smelling wetlands from coast is vital to a healthy and contamination incidences, must be built to current For more information or to obtain leaking boats and cars such as the fire and gas release productive community. The City and County floodplain a building permit within Chatham • Sick or declining bird populations due to in April 1995 at the Powell natural floodplains that make development standards. County, contact your building official Duffryn Terminals, Inc. site, the up much of our county protect The National Flood at the Chatham County Department of improperly used insecticides sewage spills into the Savannah human life and property from Insurance Program (NFIP) Building Safety and Regulatory Services • Fish dying from sediment clogged gills at 1117 Eisenhower Drive, or phone River, and the February 2008 flood damage in the event and City andCounty code of a storm. The beautiful, them at (912)201-4300. For the City of • Aquatic invertebrates fleeing or dying due to Dixie Crystal (Imperial) Sugar require that if the cost of Savannah, contact the Development plant explosion have crippling functioning wetlands, riparian reconstruction, accumulated Service Department at 5515 Abercorn increased salt levels impacts in these conservation buffers and marshlands offer over a five year period, due to Street or (912) 651-6530. For additional • Car wash detergents increase nitrate levels, zones. Maintaining adequate economic and health benefits any type of damage, addition or contacts, please refer to the Point of Contacts Table on the flood map. promoting the rapid overgrowth of algae flood control along the as well as their rich and diverse other renovations to an existing Special Supplement City and County Resources For other Chatham County municipalities contacts, see Flood Zone Boundaries map. Service Chatham County City of Savannah

Stormwater Site Visit 912-652-7800 www.engineering.chathamcounty.org 912-650-7855 www.savannahga.gov/index.aspx?nid=508 Flood Insurance: 912-652-7814 www.chathamcounty.org 912-651-6530 ext 1895 www.savannahga.gov Determination Michael Blakely Tom McDonald & Elevation Certificates Structural Flood Visit 912-652-7814 Michael Blakely 912-651-6530 ext 1895 Tom McDonald

Clogged Storm Pipe or Ditch 912-652-6840 www.publicworks.chathamcounty.org 311 www.savannah.gov (search word 311)

Grease Separator Inspection 912-652-7800 www.engineering.chathamcounty.org 912-651-6620

Soil Erosion Guidelines 912-652-7800 www.engineering.chathamcounty.org 912-651-6530 www.savannahga.gov/index.aspx?NID=375

Chatham County Emergency Management (CEMA) 912-652-7800 www.chathamemergency.org 912-201-4500 www.chathamemergency.org

Stormwater Quality 912-652-7800 www.engineering.chathamcounty.org 912-650-7855 www.mpcnaturalresources.org www.savannahga.gov/index.aspx?nid=508 www.savannahga.gov

Septic Tanks (Health Depart.) 912-356-2441 www.gachd.org 912-356-2441 www.gachd.org

Recycling Center 912-661-4960 www.chathamcountyrecycles.com 912-651-1967 www.savannahga.gov

Watering Restrictions 912-651-2221 www.savannahga.gov 912-651-2221 www.savannahga.gov

Water Wise Landscaping 912-652-7981 www.bamboo.caes.uga.edu/xeriscape1.html 912-651-2221 Laura Walker (Xeriscape) Laura Walker

Vernon River Revealed Where’s Your The Truman Parkway now crosses the Vernon River Watershed? revealing what appears to be When rain falls in Savannah it goes one of a healthy and pristine river. two places. It either flows to the Savannah But a closer inspection of the River or the Ogeechee River. marsh would reveal tons of litter mostly styrofoam and Did you know that most of the City of plastic bottles. The litter flows Savannah lies within the Ogeechee River from feeder ditches and creeks Watershed? That’s why the City and the in the headwater region near Ogeechee Riverkeeper recently began Montgomery Crossroads. The installing signs that inform citizens of City of Savannah, Chatham just that. The signs promote the close County, and the Town of connection we have on the land with this Vernonburg are working to important river. In this watershed, each bring the headwaters back to prevent wastewater from bypassing treatment; stormdrain, ditch, and canal leads to the a healthy state. With funding support from the • Do not wash any fats, oils, and grease down the Ogeechee River and her tributaries like Georgia Environmental Protection Division the drain. Cool and dispose in the trash. the Vernon River. effort focuses on the reduction of human sources • Do not let litter from the street or your yard get of pollution. For more information go to ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. into a stormdrain or ditch. Here are three very important things we all can do For more information on the Vernon River Project visit the to help protect this river: Ogeechee Riverkeeper website at: • Have your septic system routinely checked http://ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/vernon-river/ to maintain proper working conditions and

Let’s all do our part! It is easy to help our waterways stay clean and healthy for everyone.

Healthy water resources are important to the economy and quality of life in Chatham County. Here are 3 easy ways YOU can help keep our water clean 1 Pick Up Pet Waste 2 Collect Rain Water 3 Create Backyard Habitats

Picking up your pet’s waste is How many of us are gardening can increase. By providing not just a common courtesy, it NOTE: The best way to these days? How many of us other places for food, water, is a health necessity. Picking up dispose of your pet’s have created special spaces and shelter wildlife can spread after your pet helps reduce the waste is in the toilet. The in backyards, courtyards, out and away from the water. likelihood of its waste ending up most common way is patios and balconies? While So think about adding a plant in our waterways. Considering using a special pet waste these spaces bring us personal in your outdoor space that pet feces are common carriers bag or plastic grocery bag There are so many ways to rewards they can also help attracts wildlife. Why not add catch rain to use for your NOTE: You can purchase a of nasty things like heartworms, that you put in your trash. protect our waterways. All a water source that provides garden and indoor plants. It is rain barrel from your local whipworms, parvovirus, and E. Composting pet waste is wildlife needs habitat with fresh, clean water free of coli, it’s important to do your the best and it is free! But did garden store or learn how food, water, and shelter. When mosquitoes. You can find the tricky business and not duty! If left on the ground the you know that collecting rain to make your own www. the only habitat is close to perfect plants at your local rain will carry the feces to the recommended for the helps reduce pollution in our savannahga.gov the waterway, wildlife will nursery but please make note nearest stormdrain which goes average city home owner. waterways? When you capture congregate and fecal pollution of these important tips: straight to a waterway. rain on your property you keep it from flowing into the street • It is always best to stick with native plants. Visit your local How does that impact 160,000! When a waterway stormwater drains. When it garden center or www.coastscapes.org for selections. everyone in Chatham exceeds the average the State flows to the drain it will carry County? The State and the requires the City and County to with it things left on the ground • Check to be certain your plants do not contain any insecticides Environmental Protection test the water. They also require like fertilizer, oil, gas, litter and that may be harmful to wildlife like neonicotinoids. Agency requires Georgia’s new codes to restrict certain any other pollutants. So not only • Read the label carefully to ensure your plant(s) will thrive in coastal waterways to average activities until the waterway can you feel good about giving your space. less than 200 counts of fecal returns to normal. Both testing your plants nutritious rain you bacteria in a water sample. Pet and new regulations cost money can feel great about protecting for all citizens. our waterways too! If you want great step by step instructions on how to make wildlife habitats at home waste can have counts above visit the National Wildlife Federation website and the Garden for Wildlife page. Special Supplement Flood Zone Boundaries for TYBEE P ptain u B Ca la ay sk Chatham County i A n B lge i ye r d L C ive Oak d r e e s N U d 0 a M 8 k S a l zy yl y S r o H a e w w o o w h e P r lo o ig r y m H K o B 8 S n d U a in 0 o c g n li r e H y h P od t 1 D g 5 st I l e s a l s la v e r n b e d p l t C u m is6 a a t B t w h a C e l L Ce in nte a 7th r

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Dutch Wilmington Is land Is land

Herb River Wilmington Oe mler Is land Pointe Golf Club Paulsen Modena Softball /meNmoottriinagl ham Is land Shad Lazaretto Stadium Woods River Oyster Creek Creek Norwood Avenue/wylly Is land

Dutch Ol de Towne/buccaneer Is land/p arkersburg Skidaway Trace/wilminBgetaornd River Tom Park Creek Creek Is le Of Hope

Skidaway Is land Marine Runaway Exten Center Negro Wilmington Creek Sheep shead Is land Groves Creek South Creek Wilmington River Is le Of Hope Tybee Cut River Halfmoon River

Seine Creek Wormsloe

Jone s Narrows

Cabbage Cabbage Is land Creek

House Butte rbean Creek Williamson Beach And Is land Boat Ram p Landi ngs Club

Joes Cut Wassaw Sound

Skidaway Romerly Is land Marsh Creek Romerly Marshes Habersham Creek Ol d Romerly Marsh Channel

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Floodway High Required Green Is land A High Required Sound AE High Required VE High Required

X_500 ModerAatltaentic Available Ocean X Low Available

Raccoon Unincorporated Chatham County Key Border between Municipalities ! Flooded Structure Chatham County Canals DFIRMS DATE: July 7, 2014