With the start of hurricane season, Northeast Florida is especially vulnerable to flooding, officials say. To prepare for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, property owners are encouraged to protect themselves and their property by:
Cleaning out gutters and extending downspouts at least four feet from structures
Keeping debris out of storm drains and ditches
Reporting clogged ditches and culverts to local governments
Retrofitting buildings to make them watertight
Determining who has responsibility for stormwater pond maintenance in their neighborhood — it may be the homeowner’s association
Obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program
The St. Johns River Water Management District’s web page (www.sjrwmd.com/storm) includes links to flood statements and warnings, river stage and flooding data and local government emergency contacts. Links to the National Weather Service, Florida Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Geological Survey’s interactive map of current conditions in the state are also available via the website.
Residents who experience flooding during a storm should first contact their local government for assistance.
