Flood Safety & Protection Measures

Flood Safety

Flooding can happen to any property anytime. Here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your home:

Keep an inventory of your valuables by making a list or taking a video of your possessions in and around your home. Keep this in a safe place. 

Keep important papers high and dry. Put them in a safe deposit box or store them in a waterproof container.

If flooding does occur, stay away from electrical outlets, appliances, and any outdoor downed wires.  For power outage help call FPL at 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243).

Avoid driving through flooded streets.  It takes less than two inches of water for a car to hydroplane on wet roadways. There may also be unseen debris in the water that could make driving dangerous.

Contact your local insurance carrier for information on purchasing flood insurance.

For insurance referral services call the National Flood Insurance Program at:  1-888-435-6637   or 1-888-379-9531.

Property Protection Measures

There are many ways to reduce potential property damage from flooding. Some things to consider include:

Maintain the swale areas. Grass should be kept low and only sod should be planted in the swales. This helps to keep the access water flowing into the storm drains. 

  • Repave driveways to conform to swale regulations.
  • Keep storm drains clear of debris so that water can flow without obstruction.
  • Elevate electric panel boxes, water heaters, washer/dryers and other types of electrical equipment or appliances above floor level.
  • Reduce the impact of flooding by retrofitting your structure. You can pick up a copy of “Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting,” as well as other helpful FEMA brochures, at the Town Hall. For more information, please visit the resource link below for the Palm Beach County Library.

Different measures are appropriate for different flood hazards, building types and building conditions. Contact the Town’s Building Official to obtain additional information on how to protect your property from floods. We can also make a site visit to your property to offer individual advice on how to protect your property. While we cannot give you detailed construction specifications, we can provide recommendations that can help you protect your property before a flood occurs. 

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