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Article Courtesy of News 4
Jax
By Mark Collins
Published June 8, 2020
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The St. Johns River Water Management District’s website provides easy access to
valuable data and information to assist the public and local governments before,
during and after severe storm events.
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“The early development of Tropical Storm Arthur recently is a good reminder that
now is the time to prepare for hurricane season,” said St. Johns River Water
Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “By being proactive
ahead of a storm, homeowners can help protect themselves and their property from
flooding effects that are typically the biggest problem associated with
hurricanes in Florida.”
While hurricane season officially begins June 1, water is a year-round focus for
the district. Its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team works daily to ensure
the agency is ready for hurricane season and other emergencies, protecting the
district’s facilities and lands and assisting local governments, state and
regional leaders with data, technical and emergency support.
The district’s web pages (www.sjrwmd.com/storm/)
include links to flood statements and warnings, river stage and flooding data,
and local government emergency contacts. 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 are also available via the
website at
www.sjrwmd.com/data/. |
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Property owners can protect yourself and reduce
flooding by keeping debris out of storm drains and ditches.
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District permitting staff also play an important part in flood protection all
year through their work to ensure storm water is managed on developed sites and
that new drainage ditches or significant changes to existing ditches are
coordinated regionally. The district and the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection issue permits to install stormwater systems, which typically then
become the legal responsibility of a homeowners’ association or property
management company.
Property owners have a vital role in preparing for hurricane season, which
officially runs through Nov. 30. You can protect yourself and your property by:
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Keeping debris out of storm drains and ditches;
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Reporting clogged ditches and culverts to local
governments;
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Retrofitting buildings to make them watertight;
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Cleaning out gutters and extending downspouts at least
four feet from structures;
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Determining who has responsibility for stormwater pond
maintenance in your neighborhood — it may be the homeowners’ association;
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Obtaining flood insurance through the National Flood
Insurance Program.
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