Seven Things You Should Know About Protecting Your Family And Property From Floods

This newsletter is provided as a public service to promote awareness of flood hazards in our City. The County Library System provides flood protection information, and maintains copies on the flood insurance rate maps for the entire county along with explanations on their use to determine flood zones and elevations.

THE LOCAL FLOOD HAZARD
Property within the City of Atlantis is located in several different flood zones. Most properties east of Villa Drive (North and South, including Villa Drive) and along Atlantis Blvd. are located in the special flood hazard area. This is primarily due to the proximity to Congress Lake and Congress Lake South. Properties in Palm Circle adjacent to the C-15 lagoon are in the special flood hazard area. All properties west of Villa Drive are not in a special flood hazard area. You may contact City Hall to find out what flood zone your property is located in.

THE FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
Copies of the Palm Beach County's Flood Warning Program are avai­lable at your nearest county library. When the National Weather Service can forecast intense rainfall in a timely manner, our drainage system can be lowered in an attempt to receive the extraordinary volume of water expected. During periods of pro­longed rainfall, areas of the county are kept under surveillance and reported to the Emergency Operating Center. When advised of problem areas, response actions will be taken. When you detect street flooding in you own area, tune to a television or radio station known by you to have an active news bureau. You will be advised of measures you should take to protect your property and yourself.

FLOOD SAFETY
Be aware of what steps to take to minimize your losses due to flooding. The local television and radio stations will warn you when it is necessary to secure your property and evacuate. Live electrical lines cause most hazards. If it appears that floodwaters will enter your home, turn off all electric and gas service. If you find that water has entered your home, do not touch electrical switches or appliances to either turn them on or off. Outside, avoid any pools of water in which a downed power line is laying. You must assume that all downed power lines are energized.

FLOOD INSURANCE
Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover losses due to flood­ing. The City of Atlantis participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available to every­one in the City. For most, a home and its contents are their greatest investment. If your property is even suspect to the possibility of flood damage, from hurricanes or otherwise, you should be protected with an NFIP Flood Policy. Contact your insurance agent and have him or her discuss the types of coverage available to you.

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES
When it appears that your neighborhood is becoming seriously inundated, there are simple things you can do to protect your property; things such as sandbagging building entrances and moving your motor vehicles to higher ground. Many of the things you own are not only valuable but are considered by you to be irreplaceable. These items should be elevated above the floor level to protect them from flood damage.

PERMITS
The City of Atlantis Building Department requires permits for all construction. This includes new construction, repair/replacement work, additions, signs, and fences, fill, tree removal, etc. The City of Atlantis has adopted the Southern Standard Building Code. Parts of this code regulate the amounts and types of construction in the floodplain. You must always consult with the building official when planning any kind of construction. When others violate our floodplain laws, it could affect your property. The building official should be made aware of such activities.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The South Florida Water Management District controls all major arteries into which our drainage systems flow. The Lake Worth Drainage District maintains the lateral canals in Atlantis. The Public Works Department maintains the remaining swales and storm drains. Florida law prohibits the will­ful obstruction of our drainage systems and provides both civil and criminal penalties for anyone convicted of such a felony. The law also prohibits dumping toxic waste into the ground or groundwater. Toxic or hazardous waste includes such things as oil and antifreeze. The City of Atlantis Police Department should be made aware of anyone known to be guilty of having committed these crimes.