FLOOD HAZARD WARNING The following flood hazard information is being made available to the resi- JUST BECAUSE YOUR HOUSE HAS NOT FLOODED IN THE PAST dents of Glynn County because 97% of Glynn County is located in or near a DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE SAFE. 100-year floodplain. It is hoped that everyone will become familiar with the PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES hazards associated with these flood plains and use the suggested actions to Retrofitting is an affordable way to protect your building from flood dam- protect yourself, your family, and your property and save yourself money. age. This involves modifications to the building such as elevating it so that FLOOD HAZARD AREAS floodwater does not enter or reach damageable portions. Constructing barri- The map shows the 100-year floodplain. Detailed maps are available at the ers between the building and floodwater, dry flood proofing to make the build- City of Brunswick Inspection Division, 777 Gloucester Street, Suite 402 and ing walls and floor watertight, wet flood proofing to modify the structure and the County Community Development Department, located 700 Gloucester reIocate the contents so that when floodwater enters the building, there is Street, Suite 200. The 100-year flood- little or no damage and preventing plain is the area that will be flooded on basement flooding from sewer average, one every 100 years. Almost backup or sump pump failure. 100 years ago, the Great Storm of 1898 Emergency measures include mov- killed 179 people, mainly from flood- ing belongings upstairs and sand- ing and Georgia experienced severe bagging. More information about flooding in 1994. Smaller floods have flood proofing or retrofitting your a greater chance of occurring in any hone is available at the Brunswick year and can create a significant flood Regional Library on Gloucester hazard to people and property close to Street or call the Building Inspec- waterways. For example, in October tion Office (County) at 554-7456 or 1992, Glynn County received 10.2 (City) 267 5519. inches of rain causing flooding prob- DRAINAGE SYSTEM lems throughout the County. Glynn MAINTENANCE County / City of Brunswick is subject Do not dump anything into our to dangerous flooding during or follow- local waterways or drainage ing heavy storms in conjunction with ditches. This is in violation of the high tides and when there is flooding County’s Stream Dumping Ordi- in North or Central Georgia. Flash nance enacted in 1997. Debris in floods can occur in the Spring, Sum- ditches and streams obstructs the mer, or Fall. FLASH FLOODS CAN flow of water which can cause OCCUR IN MINUTES. BE PRE- overflow into roads and yards. Par- PARED TO EVACUATE THE tial or complete filling in these FLOOD HAZARD AREA ditches can reduce the flood flow QUICKLY. Flood waters, especially capacity, which will also result into from the local rivers, including the overflow into roads or onto private Altamaha, Turtle, Frederica and the property. If your property is near a Little Satilla Rivers can rise very fast. waterway or drainage ditch, please Wave action and velocity from the do your part and keep the banks Atlantic Ocean is also a local threat. clear of brush and debris. The The flood hazard includes fast mov- Glynn County Public Works De- ing water, sometimes accompanied by logs and other debris. For more partment clears and maintains the system at least twice a year. If you see information about the local flood threat, call the Emergency Management major blockages such as downed trees or debris, unapproved changes such as Director at 554-7826. filling and rerouting or violation of the ordinance, call the County Public FLOOD WARNINGS Works Department at 554-7700 or the City Public Works Department at 267- Glynn County / City of Brunswick has developed a flood warning system 5570. Individual advice for private drainage problems can be obtained by for areas within the floodplains. Warnings will be disseminated by radio (WGIG contacting the County Right-of-Way Coordinator at 554-7700. This person is AM 1440, WMOG AM 1490, WPIQ AM 790, WFGA FM 103.3, WHFX FM a qualified County drainage inspector available to provide advice. Their cre- 92.7, WBGA FM 102.5, WGCO FM 98.3, WSEG FM 104, WMK.FM 105.9, dentials are on file with Glynn County. WYNR FM 107.7, TV Channel 21 WSBG, weather radio and by police and FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT REQUIREMENTS fire vehicles equipped with public address systems. The Flood warning sys- Always check with your County / City Building Division before you build tem in Glynn County is intended to provide 24 hour advance warning of a or alter your property in any way. All development in the floodplain, not just flood hazard. FLOOD WARNING means that flash flooding is possible within construction of buildings, requires a local permit. Illegal development can the watch area. FLASH FLOOD WARNING means that flash flooding is im- obstruct the floodplain and create an unsafe situation. For more information minent or has been reported in the warning area. Designated evacuation routes about these permits and to report illegal development, call Glynn County are shown in the local telephone book. These routes include US 17 South, US Building Inspection at 554-7456 or the City Building Inspections 267-5519. 341, US 32 and US 82. SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT FLOOD SAFETY If your home or business is located in the floodplain, the National Flood As a resident of unincorporated Glynn County or the City of Brunswick, you Insurance program requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation. should be concerned about the flood hazard in your area. There are several ac- addition or other improvements exceed 50% of the building’s market value, tions you can take to reduce the flood hazard including: 1). Know the flood the building must meet the same construction requirements of a new build- warning procedure; 2). Plan escape routes to higher grounds; 3). Turn off the gas ing. Furthermore, if your home or business is located in the floodplain and is and electricity; 4) Monitor the level of water in the waterways if possible dur- damaged by a flood, and the cost of reconstruction or rehabilitation exceeds ing time of heavy rainfall. Stay tuned to radio and TV for possible flood warn- 50% of the building’s market value, then the building must meet the same ings; 5) Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when construction requirements as a new building. The Glynn County Inspection advised to do so by the police or fire department; 6). Do not attempt to cross a Division and the City of Brunswick Building Division maintains improve- flooded stream on foot or by car; 7). If your car stalls in high water, abandon it ment information for the life of the building, therefore it is important to call immediately and seek higher ground, 8). Keep children away from flood waters, them before you make any alterations to your home or business. ditches, caverns and storm drains; 9). Be especially cautious at night. NATURAL AND BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS FLOOD INSURANCE GIynn County is a beautiful place to live. and the floodplains are an Your homeowners insurance policy will not cover losses due to flooding. important asset. The undisturbed marshes and wetlands provide a wide Glynn County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which range of benefits to the human and natural systems. They provide flood makes flood insurance available to everyone in the County. This is a govern- storage and conveyance through the marshes and wetlands ability to filter ment policy and the Federal Government writes the policy and sets the rates. nutrients and impurities from runoff and process organic wastes. Ground- For many people, their home and its contents represent their greatest invest- water recharge benefits include the promotion of infiltration and aquifer ment. We strongly urge you to buy flood insurance to protect yourself from recharge and the ability to reduce frequency and duration of low surface devastating personal property, the contents of your home or business. The flows. The local marshes and wetlands provide breeding and feeding cost of the policy depends on your flood zone. Renters living In a flood zone grounds for fish and wildlife, create and enhance waterfowl habitat, and can also insure their possessions. Please note that there is a 30 day waiting protect habitats for rare and endangered species. These areas support a period from the time a flood insurance policy is purchased to the time of its high rate of plant growth and maintain biodiversity and the integrity of effective date. More information about flood insurance can be obtained from the ecosystem. The flood plain areas provide open space, aesthetic plea- your insurance agent. sure, and areas for active and passive uses.