On May 15, the City of Plant City sent out an Engineering Department flood letter to city residents. The letter is a caution to those who have property in an area that could flood during a storm. “We send it out every year,” City Manager Bill McDaniel said. “It is part of the community ratings system under FEMA. We’re required to make that type of communication to the community, and let people know when they are in a flood zone, so they have notice to take whatever action they deem appropriate to seek insurance, and so forth.”
The letter states, “Anywhere it rains, it can flood.” The most common causes of flooding in Plant City are summer thunderstorms and tropical storms. Since there is not much difference in the elevation of the highest and lowest points in Plant City, water doesn’t drain quickly.
The Engineering Department has maps that detail Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) flood-hazard areas and other areas that are susceptible to localized flooding. The city recommends searching these maps before buying property. The Engineering Department will provide flood locations for free. Also, https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search offers a search by address. People who own land within the city limits can ask for an on-site consultation with an Engineering Department staff member to find out more and what can be done to lessen flood damage on the property.
“I think it is highly advisable for people to check the flood maps,” McDaniel commented. “You can live on a property that can actually be partly in a flood zone, and you may not be aware of it. I saw behaviors in Milton that I found very unusual. But, when I looked at the flood maps, the flood maps had predicted water levels to exactly the places I saw them go that I had never seen them go to in my life. So, it is well worth checking.”
In a proactive move to support residents, the City of Plant City has joined in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS). “As a part of participating in the CRS—not just by putting out the letter, but a number of other things we do—we actually earn a rating that translates into a discount on flood insurance for the people that need it,” McDaniel said. “That is one of the reasons we invest so much time and effort into the CRS program—to earn that discount rating for our residents. The other thing that is important is somebody may receive a letter this year who didn’t get one last year. And say, ‘Why am I getting this?’ Well, it is because the flood maps changed.” The flood insurance discount can be 20 percent.
Don’t misunderstand how flood insurance works. Normal homeowner and renter insurance doesn’t cover water damage from flooding. That has to be specifically added to a regular insurance policy. Flood insurance normally takes 30 days to go into effect. There are separate coverages for flood damage to a home’s structure itself and its contents. If a home or facility is in a high-risk area, an elevation certificate may be needed before a policy will be written that covers flood insurance.
These are ways to protect buildings from flooding to help avoid insurance claims:
• Don’t leave yard waste, debris, or trash near storm water drains or ditches. Things like these can wash to the wrong place and keep water from draining
• Install roof gutters and downspouts.
• Install sewer line check valves to prevent sewer backup flooding.