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 Ursula Is land Draki es Argyle Bluff/stone PORT Is land Container/sav Foods WENTWORTH Savannah Quarters Steamboat River Flood Zone Boundaries UNINCORPORATED Hog Marsh Is land Hous town St. Augusti ne Cut for Chatham County Georgia