Before the storm: Know who to contact for flooding information

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 10, 2018 — As we enter into the peak of hurricane season, we want all residents to have access to the information they need to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. Florida is especially vulnerable to flooding, given its location and many waterways, and that means Floridians must plan and prepare to weather the inevitable storms. With many parts of Florida saturated from recent rainfall, the St. Johns River Water Management District is working to give homeowners the tools they need to prepare, with easy-to-access information for flood contacts and detailed hydrologic data.

“Storms are a part of life in the Sunshine State, but with proper planning, we can be ready for many of their impacts,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “Cooperation among local government entities, the district and residents can make a major difference in protecting lives and structures throughout the district when a storm event occurs.”

The district’s webpage, www.sjrwmd.com/localgovernments/flooding/, is a reliable one-stop resource for flood information and links to flood statements and warnings, river stages, and local government emergency contacts in the district’s 18-county region. The webpage links to the National Weather Service, Florida Division of Emergency Management and the U.S. Geological Survey’s interactive map of current conditions in the state. You’ll find the latest information on water levels to help you stay informed.

Local governments shoulder much of the responsibility when it comes to flood protection and are the primary entities responsible for state-of-emergency declarations, evacuations and rescue efforts during flood-related disasters. If you are experiencing flooding, your first contact should be your local government. You’ll find that contact information on our website as well.