City Service Departments
Building Department
Flood and Drainage Awareness Information
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If you own property in the City of Bradenton Beach, it is subject to flooding.
The City of Bradenton Beach is located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico. The topography of the area ranges from sea level to 5 feet above sea level. Its location between the Gulf of Mexico and the Anna Maria Sound, along with low elevations, makes the City highly vulnerable to the dangers of flooding. The most significant flood threat lies in the tidal surges associated with coastal or tropical storms and hurricanes. The City of Bradenton Beach falls entirely within the 100 year floodplain, and is identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Flooding can come with little warning after heavy storms or within an hour after a thunderstorm has started. These rain-related floodwaters are not usually deep, but they still cover streets and yards and can at times even flood cars, garages and lower floors. Flooding also occurs due to local drainage problems and in several closed basins in our City. Flooding can be dangerous. Even though the floodwaters appear to be moving slowly, a flood two feet deep moving at three feet per second can knock people off their feet or float a car off the road. Since the City is located in a floodplain, the odds are that someday flooding will damage your property. Your property may be high enough that it has not flooded recently. However, it can still be flooded in the future because the next flood could be worse.
This information is meant to give you some ideas of what you can do to protect yourself and your property.City flood management services:
The first thing you should do is check your flood hazard potential. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Manatee County Library, Island Branch (located at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217) and the Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach (located behind City Hall at 111 Second Street N) to determine where your property is located in a floodplain mapped by FEMA. The Building Department of the City of Bradenton Beach also has the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and the responsibility to provide flood zone and associated information to those who make such requests. The information may be obtained by calling the Building Official at (941) 778-1005 x 213.
Call the Public Works Department at (941) 778-1005 x 227 if you have experienced flooding due to drainage or sewer backup problems. They administer the drainage system maintenance program to minimize flooding. If requested, Public Works Staff will visit a property to review its flood problem and explain possible ways to stop flooding or decrease flood damage.
What You Can Do:Several of the City's flood damage mitigation and management efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here are some ways you can help:
- DO NOT DUMP OR THROW ANYTHING INTO CANALS OR INTO OUR STORM DRAIN SYSTEMS, WATERWAYS, OR BODIES OF WATER. Dumping in our canals, ditches, waterways and other bodies of water is a violation of our City Code and Florida Statute 387.08. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels or pipes downstream. Obstructed conveyances cannot carry water and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.
- If you see dumping or debris in the watercourses or basins, contact the Code Enforcement Officer at (941) 778-1005 x213.
- Always check with the Planning & Development or Public Works Departments before you build on, alter, re-grade or fill your property. A permit may be required to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties.
- If you see building or lot filling without a City permit posted, call the Code Enforcement Officer at (941) 778-1005 x213.
- Be cognizant of the following information on flood-proofing, flood insurance and flood safety.
- FLOOD-PROOFING: There are several different ways to protect a building from flood damage. Please check with the Building Department prior to using these methods, a permit may be required.
- One way is to keep the water away by re-grading your lot or building a small floodwall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property if not in the floodway.
- Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways. This method is not recommended if water will get over two feet deep.
- A third approach is to raise the house above the flood levels. A small wooden frame house can be elevated for less than $15,000. Sound crazy? Not is the property floods repeatedly. After elevating the structure, flood waters go under the house without causing any damage to it.
- Many houses have sewers that back up during heavy rains. A backflow preventer can stop this if the water does not get more than one or two feet deep. It can be bought at a hardware store for under $50. For instances of deeper flooding, talk to a plumber about overhead sewers or a backup valve.
These measures are called flood-proofing or retro-fitting. More information is available at Manatee County Library, Island Branch (5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach) and the Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach (located behind City Hall at 111 Second Street N).
Important Note: Any alteration to your building or land requires a permit from the Building Department - even re-grading or refilling in the flood-plain.
Flood Insurance:
If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowner's insurance policies do NOT cover damage from floods. However, because the City of Bradenton Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded.
The City of Bradenton Beach participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) program of the NFIP. The CRS rewards communities that undertake flood damage mitigation and public awareness activities beyond the NFIP requirements. As a result, all flood insurance policies in our City reflect a 10% discount in their premiums.
Some people have purchased flood insurance because banks require it when they obtain a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building's structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in Bradenton Beach, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. If you are covered, check out the amount and extent of coverage and make sure you have coverage for the contents.
Remember: Even if the last flood missed you or you have done some flood-proofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods. Flood Insurance rate map (FIRM) determination information: The Building Department of the City of Bradenton Beach has the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and the responsibility to provide flood zone and associated information to those who make such requests. The information may be obtained by calling (941) 778-1005 x213.
The following flood map information will be provided upon request:
- The Community Number
- The Panel Number and Suffix
- The date of the FIRM Index (Cover Panel)
- The FIRM Zone
- The Base Flood Elevation
- The Elevation datum used on the FIRM
The City is providing the above information to those who need flood hazard information, particularly to those who do not have access to the latest maps, people from out of town and those who have trouble reading maps.
Flood Warning:THE CITY OF BRADENTON BEACH HAS AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN, and monitors flash flood warnings from the National Weather Service. When warnings are received, the Manatee County Emergency Operations Center disseminates the information to radio and television stations in the area. Two of the many radio stations are AM 970, and FM 107.9. Be sure to turn on your radio and/or television when severe weather threatens. For more information, you may call the City of Bradenton Beach Emergency Operation Coordinator at (941) 778-1005. Practice safety during floods. Don't panic.
Flood Safety:
It is unlikely that you will get much warning, so a detailed checklist prepared in advance will help insure that you do not forget anything!
- TURN OFF ELECTRICAL POWER: Some appliances such as television sets keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Do not use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned and dried by a professional.
- BE ALERT FOR GAS LEAKS: Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Do not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.
- DO NOT WALK THROUGH FLOWING WATER: Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that firm ground is still there.
- DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH A FLOODED AREA: More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around a road barrier; the road or bridge may be washed out or the water may be deep enough to float your vehicle off the road.
- STAY AWAY FROM POWER LINES AND ELECTRICAL WIRES: The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to Florida Power & Light at 917-0708.
- LOOK OUT FOR ANIMALS: Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare creatures away. Look out for snakes. Remember that even tame animals may become frightened and dangerous during floods.
- LOOK BEFORE YOU STEP: After a flood, the ground and floors may be covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
- MAINLY ---- BE ALERT AND AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.
