Floodplain Management
Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Flood effects can be local, impacting a neighborhood or entire community; or they can be very large, affecting an entire regional river basin or multiple states.
All floods are not alike. Some floods develop slowly, possibly over a period of days, while others can develop quickly and without any visible signs of rain.
It is important to be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live. But it is especially important to be aware if you live in low-lying areas or near water. Very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds, or low-lying grounds that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.
To see the potential flooding sources in your area visit FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Flood Basics
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| My homeowner's policy will cover any flood damage. | Not all homeowner's policies cover flood damage. Check your policy and/or with your insurance agent. Flood insurance can also be purchased from FEMA. |
| It has never flooded here, so it never will. | Floods are caused by weather conditions and are unpredictable. Flooding can occur anywhere under the right conditions. |
| There was a flood problem, but it has been fixed. | Although some flooding issues can be mitigated it is very difficult to fix a flooding problem. |
| If flooding was a problem, someone would have told us. That's why we pay taxes. | Check with Polk County Floodplain Management (863) 534-6765 to find out if an area has flooded in the past or to determine if you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area. |
| It's only water. It's no big deal to be flooded. | Even a few inches of water can bring thousands of dollars in repair and restoration costs. |
| We just had a 100-year flood, so my family will be safe from future flood for the rest of their lives. | The 100-year flood has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year. Statistically there is more than a 1 in 4 chance of this type of flood occurring during a 30-year mortgage, however they can occur much more frequently. |
Polk County Floodplain Management
For free flood assistance and inspections:
(863) 534-6765 or (863) 534-6767