Brevard County Public Works - Floodplain Administration
The Floodplain Administration and Community Rating System section provides information to the public about flood hazards in Brevard County, guidance on floodplain management and flood hazard mitigation, and facts and information regarding flood insurance. This office is the Official Community Repository for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels for the County, depicting FEMA defined Special Flood Hazard Areas.
This section maintains records of properties where lenders require flood insurance as a condition of securing financing for purchase or development, determines 100-year Base Flood Elevations for properties in flood zones and provides documentation of these determinations for a nominal charge.
This office is the primary Brevard County liaison to FEMA for matters relating to floodplain development and flood damage mitigation under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, this section administers the Community Rating System (CRS) program for the County. Successful participation in this program affords all citizens of Unincorporated Brevard County reduced premiums for flood insurance.
Copies of FEMA Elevation Certificates for structures built in Special Flood Hazard Areas in Unincorporated Brevard County can be obtained through this office. Certificates are available for structures permitted during the last ten years. Certificates may be available for older structures permitted during or after 1992. Older certificates must be researched on a case-by-case basis and a research and recovery fee may be required to obtain copies.
Flood Zone Facts
The Local Flood Hazard
Flooding in Brevard County is caused by heavy rainfall that occurs in short periods of time, from tidal surges that accompany coastal storms, tropical storms and hurricanes, along with associated heavy rains. Flooding sources include the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River and the Indian River Lagoon system and its associated tributaries.
Flood Safety Measures
You can protect yourself from flood hazards by taking measures to ensure the safety of life and property before, during, and after a flood occurs. If evacuation becomes necessary, be sure that you turn off all utility services at the main connection.
- Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood related deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to measure how deep the water is.
- Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two cause of flood related deaths is electrocution. Electric current can travel through water and can be present without one knowing. Report downed power lines to the power company or the Brevard County EOC.
Flood Insurance
For many people, their home and its contents represent their greatest investment. Property losses due to flooding are not covered under most standard homeowners’ insurance policies. You can protect your home and its contents with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The NFIP is a Federal program established by Congress in 1968 that enables property owners to buy flood insurance at reasonable rates in participating communities. In return, these participating communities carry out flood management measures designed to protect life and property from future flooding.
The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through its Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). Brevard County has participated in the NFIP since 1972.
To find out more about flood insurance for your property and its contents, contact your insurance agent. There is a usually a 30 day waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect, so don’t wait until a storm threatens before you secure the flood insurance you need.
The following chart lists the amounts of maximum coverage available to property owners within Brevard County:
Building Coverage
Single Family Dwelling $250,000
Other Residential $250,000
Non-residential $500,000
Small Business $500,000
Contents Coverage
Residential $100,000
Non-residential $500,000
Small Business $500,000
Property Protection Measures
Every year, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other type of natural disaster. While recent construction practices and regulations have made new homes less prone to flooding, many existing structures remain susceptible. Throughout the country there is a growing interest from property owners to develop practical and cost effective methods for reducing or eliminating exposures to flooding. Several effective ways include acquisition and relocation of a building to a site not subject to flooding, construction of floodwalls or berms to keep water away from the property, or retrofitting structures to make them flood proof. Retrofitting is a different approach from the other methods because the property itself remains subject to flooding while the building is modified to prevent or minimize flooding of habitable space.
There are several recognizable approaches to retrofitting:
- Elevation of the structure above flood protection levels.
- Construction of barriers (floodwalls, berms, etc.).
- Dry floodproofing (water tight floor and wall systems).
- Wet floodproofing (permits entry and passage of flood waters).
In the event of impending flood threats it is always advisable to take the following emergency actions:
- Sand bagging to reduce erosion and scouring.
- Elevate furniture above flood protection levels.
- Create floodway openings in non-habitable areas of a building.
- Seal off sewer lines to the dwelling to prevent the backflow of sewer waters.
Natural and Beneficial Functions of the Floodplain
These benefits take many forms and may include some of the following:
- Natural flood and erosion control: The floodplain provides flood storage and conveyance, reduces flood velocity, and controls erosion of beachfront structures.
- Water quality: The floodplain filters nutrients and impurities from runoff.
- Ground water recharge: The floodplain reduces frequency and duration of surface flow.
- Biological resources: The floodplain supports high rates of plant growth, provides breeding and feeding grounds and enhances waterfowl habitat.
- Societal resources: The floodplain provides open space and aesthetic pleasures, and in areas of scientific study, provides opportunities for environmental research.
The Flood Warning System
Residents should be aware that Brevard County has a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) that includes a number of warning systems, outlined below, which provide citizens with up to the minute information on impending storms or flood threats.
Brevard County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
The Brevard County EOC works with the cities, the National Weather Service (NWS), and the National Hurricane Center to monitor flood and storm threats and advise the community accordingly.
All over-the-air television stations serving the Brevard County area receive notification from the EOC for broadcast in the event of a threat. In addition, all satellite and cable television providers and all major AM and FM band radio stations available in Brevard County provide immediate notification on all channels upon identification of a threat by the EOC or the NWS. Finally, the EOC can utilize its “Reverse 911” calling system to automatically notify residents in a given area, or County-wide if necessary, of an impending condition requiring action.
Brevard County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
When a storm or flood threatens to impact the county, the EOC is activated. The county has its own weather consultant who provides EOC staff with detailed
and site specific information regarding storm conditions and flood threats. EOC workers issue updates, warnings and evacuation notices as needed over cable television and alert radios.
Floodplain
Development Permit Requirements
Any development in the floodplain requires a building permit according to Chapter 22 of the Brevard County Code of Ordinances. If you suspect that illegal floodplain development is occurring call the Brevard County Permitting & Enforcement Department at (321) 690-6875.
Also, in accordance with NFIP standards, the Brevard County Code of Ordinances requires that if the cost of any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, such work is considered a substantial improvement under Chapter 62. The existing building is then required to meet the same standards as a new building. For residential structures, these requirements typically mean raising the living area of the building a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation.
Substantial Improvement Requirements
Substantial improvement shall mean any repair from damage or destruction, reconstruction, improvement, or additions of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the assessed market value of the structure as is listed by the Brevard County Property Appraiser’s Office or by a certified appraisal. The assessed value of the structure shall be determined before the improvement is started, or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage or destruction occurred.
Drainage System Maintenance
A community can lose a portion of its drainage system carrying or storage capacity when debris, dirt or vegetation is allowed to enter the system. This may cause localized flooding even in areas not normally associated with such problems. Keeping yard waste, grass clippings and other debris from entering roadside inlets and open ditches of the drainage system can prevent clogging and loss of stormwater storage capacity.
If you experience any localized drainage problems, including illegal stream dumping please notify the Road & Bridge Division of the Brevard County Public Works Department at (321) 690-6877 so that the problem can be addressed.
Flood Protection Assistance
Brevard County has qualified staff available to provide information to homeowners on the flood hazard, on flood protection measures, and on site-specific flooding problems.
For information on FEMA-classified flood hazard zones, requirements for construction in flood zones, flood mitigation techniques, or flood hazard insurance coverage through the NFIP, please contact the Floodplain Administration Desk of the Brevard County Public Works Department at (321) 617-7340.
For advice and assistance in storm water management planning, or for specific neighborhood or localized flooding problems, please contact the Watershed Management Program of the Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office at (321) 633-2016.