Flood Hazard Area

The City’s Building Department, located in City Hall at 1300 White Street, has Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps that indicate whether you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area. There is also information on flooding problems in specific, localized areas. If you are considering buying or renting property and are not sure if it floods, information on past flooding is available.

Flood Maps

Both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Monroe County Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Services have created interactive mapping services to locate specific property in relation to the high-risk flood hazard areas (also called Special Flood Hazard Areas). FEMA has a consumer friendly site specifically for locating flood risks and insurance information. If you’re not in the habit of researching flood maps, check out our page on How to Read Flood Maps. For a crash course on flood insurance/regulation terminology, watch a four-minute video that’ll bring you up-to-speed.

Flooding Emergency / Drainage Problem

If you have a flooding emergency or drainage problem, you can call the City’s Utilities office at 305-809-3902 (after business hours 305-809-1111) for help. If maintenance of the City’s system is required, they can handle it or, if there is no system at that specific location, they can refer it for further investigation. They can also explain ways to stop flooding and prevent damage on your property.

Flood Prevention

The City’s efforts to be successful in flood control depend on your cooperation in the following ways:

  • Do not place any debris - lawn, trash, or otherwise - in stormwater inlets, ditches or other waterways. Dumping into the drainage system can easily create blockages and when it rains the water has nowhere to go, resulting in flooding - the house you flood may be your own. It is a violation to dump into any public drainage system. If you witness a problem regarding dumping into the stormwater system, please contact Code Enforcement at 305-809-3739 (after business hours 305-809-1111).
  • Always check with the Building Department 305-809-3956) before you make changes such as grading, filling, or construction on your property. The changes you have planned may require permitting to ensure that your project does not cause problems for your neighbors.
  • If you see someone dumping anything into stormwater inlets, ditches or other waterways, report it to Code Enforcement at 305-809-3739 (after business hours 305-809-1111).
  • If you see an active construction site and there is no City permit posted, report it to the Building Department 305-809-3956) or online.