Flood mitigation means working to reduce the risk to your property from flood damage. Mitigation depends on the affected property and the cost to repair flood damage. It could involve changing the ground surface around your home to divert stormwater runoff or raising your home so that floodwater runs underneath the structure. The most extreme situation may require selling your home so the property can be cleared of all structures.
The federal government operates the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP works with state and local governments to assist property owners through the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP). The FMAP may require financial participation by the property owner depending on the severity and number of flooding claims. Information on the State of Florida's funding cycle and program requirements can be viewed at: www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/flood-mitigation-assistance-program/
Leon County mitigates flooding in the unincorporated area in two ways. The first and most effective method is to keep construction out of floodprone areas through our new (post-1991) Land Development Code. We continue to identify floodprone areas by monitoring stream response to rainfall, refining our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology, and tracking floodwater during storms.
The second method to mitigate flooding is through capital projects. Federal funds which become available following declared disasters, such as Tropical Storm Fay in 2008, have been used to purchase floodprone property, expand stormwater holding ponds and build alternative access roads for residents. The federal government assists local governments with two grant programs:
www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program
b. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) information can be viewed at:
www.fema.gov/pre-disaster-mitigation-grant-program