community. SFHAs represent the areas Department at (305) 663-6326 or email strikes, so it is important to know how you ARE YOU PREPARED FOR A subject to inundation by the 1-percent- [email protected]. will contact one another, how you will get annual chance flood event. Structures back together, and what you will do in case FLOOD IN YOUR Step 3 - PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR located in the SFHA have a 26-percent of emergency. FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD? chance of flooding during the life of a Never attempt to drive through flooded standard 30-year mortgage. FEMA FIRM The City of South Miami coordinates with roadways. Floodwaters can conceal YOU ARE RECEIVING THIS BROCHURE maps are available for free public viewing the Miami-Dade County Division of damage underneath. As little as two feet BECAUSE YOUR PROPERTY IS LOCATED online at msc.fema.gov/portal. You can also Emergency Management and the National of running water can carry away most contact the City Planning and Zoning vehicles including SUV’s. Turn Around, IN OR NEAR A FLOOD Weather Service in issuing public warnings Department by email or phone at concerning expected floods and storms. Don’t Drown! PRONE AREA. [email protected] or (305) 668- Local television and radio stations may Step 4 - PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY 7356 for help determining if your property is announce weather advisories issued by Floods can occur in the City of South Miami in a flood zone. the National Weather Service. These Various methods may be used to minimize at any time during the year. Heavy rains stations may also provide local weather flooding. If the first finished floor elevation of Step 2 - INSURE YOUR PROPERTY during the rainy season from June through information. your property is lower than the base flood October pose the greatest threat for Flooding is not covered by a standard Tune-in to local AM radio stations WIOD- elevation (BFE) established by FEMA, flooding. However, heavy rainfall can occur homeowner’s insurance policy. Flood 610 and WINZ-940 for broadcasts in consider elevating your structure. If a flood at any time of year and cause flooding in insurance is available to homeowners, condo English or WQBA-1140 and WAQI-710 for is imminent, protect your property by neighborhoods and in the streets. Heavy and owners, commercial owners, and all renters. broadcasts in Spanish. TV emergency sandbagging areas vulnerable to the entry of prolonged rainfall causes the capacity of the Renters are encouraged to purchase flood broadcasts will be available on WTVJ-Ch 4, water. Valuables and furniture may also be drainage system, including the City’s canals, insurance for the contents of their home. WCIX-Ch 6, WSVN-Ch 7, and WPLG-Ch 10 moved to higher areas of the dwelling to to be exceeded. Flooding is more severe Homeowners can get up to $250,000 of in English and WLTV-Ch 23 in Spanish. minimize damages. More methods of when the ground has been saturated due to coverage and businesses up to $500,000. All hazard NOAA Weather Radios (NWR) property protection and floodproofing are previous heavy rainfall and a higher ground Renters can obtain up to $100,000 of are available for purchase in local available in FEMA publications at the South water table. Because of the flat topography, coverage. electronic retail or department stores and Miami Branch Public Library. For more flooding can occur most anywhere in the provide access to the NOAA Weather information, or for a review of flood and Note that there is a 30-day waiting period City. Being prepared is your best defense Radio Frequencies 162.550 and 162.450. drainage issues on your property, please before coverage goes into effect. That means against a flood. If flooding threatens your home, turn off contact the City Planning & Zoning now is the best time to buy flood insurance! electricity at the main breaker. If you lose Department at (305) 663-6326 or email Contact your preferred insurance agency for power, turn off all major appliances. [email protected]. Steps to Prepare for a Flood more information. Additional information Turn off the gas and be alert for gas leaks. can be found online at www.floodsmart.gov Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do Step 5 - BUILD RESPONSIBLY Step 1 - KNOW YOUR FLOOD HAZARD or by calling 1-888-379-9531. not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or A building permit is issued by the Building open flames unless you know that the gas Regulated floodplains are illustrated on Copies of Elevation Certificates are available Department to build a structure or otherwise has been turned off and the area has been inundation maps called Flood Insurance Rate for review at the City of South Miami’s develop on a property located within a 100- ventilated. Maps (FIRMs). It is the official map for a Building Department at 6130 Sunset Drive. year floodplain. The National Flood Insurance Avoid low-lying areas. Seek shelter in the community on which FEMA has delineated For more information on requirements for Program requires that if your structure is highest areas possible. both the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and availability of elevation certificates, damaged or improved to an amount of 50% Discuss your family emergency plan. Your and the risk premium zones applicable to the contact the City’s Planning & Zoning or more of the structure’s market value, it family may not be together when disaster must meet the construction requirements for in our neighborhoods. For questions, or to a higher floor. All work must conform to a new building. This means all new and report obstructions or violations, call the City state and local building codes. substantially improved buildings must be of South Miami Public Works Department at Additional information is available online at built with the lowest floor, including (305) 403-2063. www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php. basement, elevated no lower than the base Step 7 - HURRICANE PREPARDENESS flood elevation (BFE). All enclosures must be Step 9 – LID TECHNIQUES To reduce hurricane damage, all new properly designed and constructed with South Miami is encouraging homeowners to buildings must be constructed with hurricane flood vents to minimize damage. take action to reduce stormwater flooding by storm shutters. Installation is simple but Before you build, fill, or otherwise develop in implementing low-impact development (LID) requires a building permit. Contact the City of a floodplain, contact the Building techniques. LID techniques, such as rain South Miami Building Department at (305) Department at (305) 663-6355 to discuss city barrels and permeable pavers, help to 663-6355 for more information. regulations in more detail. Report any manage stormwater on site instead of development in a floodplain without a permit In the event of a storm, check TV and radio allowing it to runoff into the stormwater to the South Miami Building Department. sources for up-to-date information. Know drainage system, which can become what to do in the event of a hurricane watch, overwhelmed and lead to flooding. To learn Step 6 - PROTECT NATURAL FLOODPLAIN warning, and/or evacuation order. Create a more about what types of LID techniques you FUNCTIONS checklist for emergency supplies, know the can implement on your property, contact the Floodplains are a natural component of locations of evacuation centers, and plan Building Department at (305) 593-6700. ahead for your pets. Prepare your home South Miami’s environment. Understanding Step 10 – BUY FLOOD INSURANCE IN LOW before a storm to reduce potential damage. and protecting the natural functions of RISK ZONES floodplains helps reduce flood damage and For more information, review the Hurricane Flood insurance is not just for properties protect resources. When flooding spreads Guide on the Miami-Dade County Division of out across the floodplain, its energy is located in the floodplain. Did you know that Emergency Management website or call the more than 25-percent of flood insurance dissipated, which results in lower flood flows office at (305) 468-5400. Visit Ready.gov to claims are for structures outside the 100-year downstream, reduced streambank and learn more about actions to take in the event floodplain? Even if your home or business is channel erosion, less deposition of sediments of a hurricane watch or warning in your area. located in a low risk zone, it may still be at and improved groundwater recharge. Department Step 8 - GENERAL PREPAREDNESS risk of flooding. Homeowners, renters, and Floodplains are scenic, valued wildlife business owners in low risk zones can habitat. Poorly planned development in Inventory and photograph your home’s purchase standard policies or reduced-rate floodplains can lead to erosion, loss of contents and put important papers and “preferred risk” policies. You can visit valuable property, increased downstream insurance policies in a safe place. www.floodsmart.gov or contact your local flooding and degradation of water quality. Keep an emergency supply including non- insurance agent for more information. Per Section 13A-7 of the City’s Code of perishable food, water, batteries, Planning & Zoning & Planning Ordinances, it is illegal to dump anything in flashlights, manual can opener, and a battery-operated radio. For more information about flood safety or the the City’s canals, ponds, lakes, and streams. NFIP, please note the following: The City’s water bodies are invaluable Place the washer, dryer, furnace and water www.floodsmart.gov heater on masonry blocks or concrete at drainage features. Dumping materials into www.ready.gov/floods least 12 inches above the projected flood www.fema.gov 6130 Sunset Drive Sunset 6130 33143 FL Miami, South our canals or drains pollutes our waters, Miami South elevation, inside a floodwall, or moved to 1-888-379-9531 clogs our storm drains, and leads to flooding .