Community Rating System

The City of Safety Harbor is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS). Safety Harbor residents receive a discount for the purchase of flood insurance offered by the NFIP. This discount is available for both property owners and renters. To find out more about flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov or contact your insurance provider. The City of Safety Harbor offers FEMA flood map determinations on property located within the city. 

Pinellas County Flood Plain Update

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) updated the Pinellas County Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), including the maps within the City of Safety Harbor. The changes are based on revised coastal flood modeling and may affect owners of properties susceptible to flooding from the Gulf, Tampa Bay, and inland areas near waterways connected to the Gulf or Bay.   The City of Safety Harbor City Commission adopted the revised FIRM map

A link to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center web site showing the current FIRM maps is below.

https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

To confirm if you are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) follow these steps;

1. Click the link above or copy and paste it into your web browser. 
2. Then enter the address you want to confirm and click select. 
3. A map will be generated indicating the location of the address provided as well as any flood zone information for the property and surrounding area.
4. If your address is located within a blue or tan layer, your property is located in a flood zone. You will want to refer to the legend below the map provided for details. You can also source flood zone definitions below.
5. If the address is not located in a blue or tan layer the address is not located within a flood zone.

Flood Zones within the City of Safety Harbor:

Flood Zone	SFHA	Flood Risk	Definition
A	YES	High	Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood event generally determined by using approximate methodologies. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no base flood elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
AE	YES	High	Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood event determined by detailed methods. Base flood elevations (BFEs) are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
V	YES	High	Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood event with additional hazards associate with storm induced waves. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed no base flood elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
VE	YES	High	Areas subject to inundation by the 1% annual chance flood event with additional hazards due to storm induced velocity wave action. Base flood elevations (BFEs) are shown. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply.
X-SHADED	NO	Moderate	Area of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-year and the 500-year floods. Shown on the DFIRMs as X-shaded areas. Also known as the area of 0.2% annual chance flood hazard.
X	NO	Low	Area of minimal flood hazard. Usually depicted on FIRMS and DFIRMS as above the 500-year flood level. The area determined to be outside the 500-year floodplain.
LiMWA	YES	High	Flood maps in coastal areas may include a line called the Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA). The LiMWA marks the inland limit of the Coastal A Zone.
Coastal A Zone	YES	High	The part of the coastal SFHA referenced by building codes and standards where wave heights can be between 1.5 and 3 feet during a base flood event.

Elevation Certificates
Elevation certificates for existing properties are available by request, depending on availability. Staff can also review elevation certificates. Please contact 727-724-1555 ext.1309 to speak with the Floodplain Coordinator.

Flood Insurance

Homeowner insurance does not cover flood damage.  A flood insurance policy is required to cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available for both buildings and contents. Many insurance policies have a waiting period. Properties outside of a flood zone can still flood. It is recommended that residents speak with their insurance provider concerning adequate coverage for flood events, 
photograph and list your possessions for claim purposes and store the information in a safe place.

Substantial Improvement and Substantial Damage – the 50% rule 

The NFIP defines “substantial improvement” as any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or any other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction. The requirement also applies to buildings that are substantially damaged. This means that if the combined cost of improvements equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure before the start of construction, then the building will be considered as substantially improved and be treated as a new structure and be required to meet the Florida Building Code requirements for new structures.

Flood Safety

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other severe weather-related hazard. It only takes six (6) inches of moving water to knock a person down, causing possible injury or death. In order to protect property and lives, the following steps should be taken:

• Have an evacuation plan. Knowing your Hurricane Evacuation Zone, (Hurricane Evacuation Zones (PDF) and have two weeks’  worth of medication, food and water on hand.
• Persons with special needs should register with Pinellas County's Division of Emergency Management.
• Trees should be trimmed regularly. If a hurricane is eminent, trees should not be trimmed due to possible flooding and wind.
• Doors, windows or any building openings should be secured.
• Turn around, don’t drown. Driving through flooded areas should be avoided; power lines may be down and roadbeds may be washed out under flood waters. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. 
• Be alert to gas leaks. 
• Candles and any other type of open flames should be carefully monitored.

What you can do to protect your property

• Installation of shutters over glass and windows or replacement of windows with impact resistant windows.
• Installation of reinforced garage doors.
• Removal of all loose items from terraces, patios, and yards, including outdoor furniture and plants.
• Securing of all vent hoods, exhaust louvers, etc. from wind and rain.
• Securing of doorways on the first floor from flood waters by applying sandbags, air conditioning duct tape, or heavy plastic sheeting.
• Relocating electrical panel boxes, air conditioning units, water heaters, and washer/dryers to a location less likely to be flooded.
• Dry floodproofing, which includes sealing building walls with waterproofing compounds, impermeable sheeting, and using shields   for covering and protecting openings from flood waters.
• Wet floodproofing, which includes relocation or waterproofing of vulnerable items such as utilities and appliances.
• Elevation of existing flood-prone structures above the base flood elevation.
• Installation of yard drains (French drain systems) in green areas that experience ponding during typical rainstorms.
• Regrading of the yard so the yard slopes away from the house.

More Information

For more information regarding this information or to confirm your flood zone, contact 727-724 1555 ext. 1309 to speak with the Floodplain Coordinator.

Helpful Links

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program

FEMA

Floodsmart

Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)

Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (2011)