With Hurricane season upon us, it's time to think about your property and plans. Flood plan maps have been updated by FEMA and you should consider taking a look at how you may be affected and what actions you should consider. Below is a more detailed article submitted by Hillsborough County. We have also included a Pinellas County contact page for your convenience.
The Hillsborough County Engineering and Construction Services and Building Services Divisions are available to provide information on activities that can be taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to residents and their property from natural and manmade hazards (and their effects), which includes providing information regarding flood protection.
Also, please note that Hillsborough County is a qualifying community under the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS), which is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flooding is Hillsborough County's most repetitive disaster and maintaining compliance with the program delivers greater than $20 billion in property protection to business owners and residents throughout Hillsborough County. Participation in this program provides the ability to obtain Federal flood insurance, which is required by lenders if you live in the Special Flood hazard Area (also known as the 100-year floodplain). The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement applies to all forms of federal or federally related financial assistance for buildings located in a 100-year Floodplain. This requirement affects loans and grants for the
purchase, construction, repair or improvement of any publicly or privately owned building in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Compliance with the program to the level in which Hillsborough County maintains the program has placed the County within the top three-percent of participating communities within the Nation and provides greater than $6 million in annual savings off of Federal flood-insurance premiums made directly by residents. This program is monitored by both the State and Federal governments, which requires strict adherence.
Through this program, flood hazard information is offered to all citizens and businesses located within the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. The County maintains the most current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and maintains FIRM Amendments and Revision that have been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This and additional information that includes researching FEMA Letters of Map Amendments or other approved updates to the FIRM and constructing within the Special Flood Hazard Area is available through the Public Works and Development Services Departments, Building Services and Hazard Mitigation Sections. Information may be obtained through the Hillsborough County web site at https://www .hillsboroughcounty .org/en/residents/publ ic-safety/emergency-manaqement/flood-information Inquires may also be emailed, mailed, or phoned, to the attention of Ms. Christina Hummel, 813-307-1800, Post Office Box 1110, 22nd Floor, Tampa, Florida 33601 .
