Flood Information

2022 - 2023 Annual Flood Insurance Message

Flood Map Information:  Residential and business property owners have an opportunity to check their status under the new maps or by calling the City of Deerfield Beach Engineering Division, Suzanne at 954-480-4273. The new flood maps are in effect as of August 18, 2014.

The City participates in the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS). The automatic discount on flood insurance is 10% for property owners located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (Zones AE & AH) and a 5% discount for those in a non- Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone X).

Flood Insurance: The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides affordable flood insurance to people who live in areas with the greatest risk of flooding called Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). Property owners who hold a federally backed mortgage need to purchase flood insurance if it is required by the lender and the property is located within a SFHA. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage. There is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect. Contact your insurance agent for information about rates and coverage. If you do not have an insurance agent, contact the NFIP agent referral service at 888-379-9531 and/or visit www.floodsmart.gov for additional information.

Flood Hazard: The most common threat of street and yard flooding in Deerfield Beach is associated with heavy rainstorms, tropical storm systems or hurricanes. The City has not experienced any major flooding. The City’s flood hazards are – canals, waterways, coastal beaches, and inland bodies of water.

Flood Safety: Tune into radio or TV for warnings. Heed warnings from officials. Evacuate when an order is given. Know your evacuation zone and route to a shelter. Have a small bag of essentials prepared. Be cautious at night. Have battery-operated flashlights, radios, tvs in good working order. Above all - Do not panic.

Natural and Beneficial Functions: Deerfield Island Park is bordered by the Royal Palm Waterway, Hillsboro Canal, and the Intracoastal Waterway. This "urban wilderness area" features an 8.5-acre mangrove swamp filled with wildlife and two nature trails - the Coquina and the Mangrove Trail. This 56-acre island park provides a critical habitat for the gopher tortoise and is a nesting place for squirrels, raccoons, and armadillos. Migratory and indigenous sea birds use it as a roosting and feeding place.

Hurricane/Flood Warnings: Both the City and Broward County have emergency warning systems. A warning will be given on television, radio, telephone, and National Hurricane Center. Tune into these media for instructions during times of possible hurricane landfall. The AlertDFB Emergency Notification System in Deerfield Beach gives officials the ability to deliver prerecorded emergency telephone messages to targeted areas or the entire City. Street addresses are used to determine which phone numbers will receive an emergency notification so individuals and businesses need to register for AlertDFB.

Drainage System Maintenance: There is a system of drainage canals and ditches for stormwater management throughout the City. They are maintained by Broward County and the City’s Storm Water Division 954-480-4270. These drainage ways are of vital importance since they not only drain our City, but inland areas as well. State and local laws prohibit dumping in these waterways. Violators should be reported to the City’s Code Enforcement Office by calling 954-480-4241.

Substantial Improvement Requirements: The National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building's market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards.

Permits: All new construction, repairs, additions, signs, fences, fill, tree removal, etc. require a permit. Contact the Building Division at 954-480-4250 for further information. Illegal floodplain development should be reported to the Building Division.

Property Protection: Every year flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other type of natural disaster. In the event of pending hurricane or flood threats it is advisable to take the following emergency actions: Bring outdoor belongings inside the house, elevate furniture above flood protection levels, and secure your home before leaving by locking doors and windows. Use sandbags to prevent floodwaters from reaching your home. Board up windows or close storm shutters. Information on retrofitting or floodproofing your structure to reduce the impact of flooding is available at www.fema.gov or your local or county libraries. Publications and assistance in property protection are also available from the National Flood Insurance Program in the (NFIP) Resources Library.