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National Flood Insurance Community Rating System
Floods and Flood Zone Information
Many City of Parkland residents live in or near a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), which is a zone where flooding may occur in the event of heavy rainfall, a hurricane or other natural disaster. As a result, residents may elect or be required to obtain flood insurance, which is available to all residents as a result of the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Flooding is not covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies.
For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program or the Community Rating System, visit www.floodsmart.gov or www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
For Information on Hurricanes and Hurricane Preparedness you can access the following webpage
Important Links
FEMA FLOOD PLAIN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
View Flood Plain Management Information that the City of Parkland has created to assist you with questions and concerns regarding flood insurance and flood zones.
Select the items on the left column below for additional information- Flood Safety
- Floodplain development & Permit requirements
- The Flood Warning System
- Substantial Improvement and Damage requirements
- Flood Information Brochures
- FEMA Flood Zone Designations
- Contractors
- Useful Links
Flood insurance will help recover losses from flood damage, but additional precautionary measures can be taken to minimize those losses and protect yourself, your family and your property.
Before a Flood
- Make sure you are covered. Ask your insurance agent about the NFIP and flood insurance.
- Prepare a family disaster plan and a disaster supply kit.
- Know how to turn off your utilities. Contact your local utility company now if you are not sure how to do so.
- Bring outdoor belongings in and move your valuable possessions to higher ground.
- Keep materials such as sandbags, plastic or burlap bags, plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber and shovels handy for emergency waterproofing.
- Use a battery-operated NOAA weather radio to monitor emergency information.
- Fill containers with clean water in case drinking water becomes contaminated.
- If instructed to do so by local authorities, turn off all utilities at the main power switch, close the main gas valve and shut off propane tanks.
- If instructed to evacuate by authorities, do so immediately. Follow evacuation routes.
- Do not walk or swim in floodwaters. If you must walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to check water depths.
- Do not drive through a flooded area; turn around and find another way. Never drive around roadblocks.
- Avoid power lines and electrical wires. Electrical current can travel through water.
After a Flood
- Report downed power lines to FPL at (800) 4-OUTAGE.
- If an evacuation ordered was issued, do not return home until authorities announce it is safe to do so.
- Use caution when entering buildings. If your property was flooded, inspect it for damages.
- Check for gas leaks. Do not smoke or use candles unless you know the gas has been turned off.
- Do not use wet appliances. Appliances can keep a charge even after unplugged.
- Take pictures of damage to your home and belongings for insurance claims.
The City of Parkland has adopted development regulations in flood zones to control the alteration of the natural floodplains; prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert flood waters or may increase flood hazards in other areas; restrict or prohibit uses that may result in increases in erosion, flood heights, or velocities; and to control filling, grading, dredging, and other development in a flood zone that may increase flood damages.
The City currently regulates all development (not just construction of buildings) within natural floodplains through the plan review process, which requires building and/or engineering permits prior to construction, filling, or otherwise altering a site’s natural elevation.
Prior to starting any construction, residents or builders should contact the City’s Building Department at 954.753.5447 to ask about required permits.
If you witness illegal floodplain development, such as filling or building in the floodplain without a permit posted, please call the Building Department at 954.753.5447 to report it.
The City currently regulates all development (not just construction of buildings) within natural floodplains through the plan review process, which requires building and/or engineering permits prior to construction, filling, or otherwise altering a site’s natural elevation.
Prior to starting any construction, residents or builders should contact the City’s Building Department at 954.753.5447 to ask about required permits.
If you witness illegal floodplain development, such as filling or building in the floodplain without a permit posted, please call the Building Department at 954.753.5447 to report it.
The City of Parkland depends on the National Weather Service (NWS) for flood warning and other weather-related notifications.
The NWS will issue a Flash Flood Warning for Broward County, or parts of the county, when floodwaters are forecast to enter buildings and pose a threat to life and/or property within six hours. Normally, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be activated.
An Urban Flood Advisory will be issued when flooding to urban streets, underpasses and/or low-lying areas is occurring or is probable and is not expected to threaten life or property.
The NWS will issue a Coastal Flood Watch when coastal flooding is possible within 12 to 36 hours. A Coastal Flood Warning will be issued when coastal flooding is occurring or is expected to occur within 12 hours.
Residents should monitor the following local radio and TV stations for flood warning and evacuation information: Radio: WIOD 610 AM, or WFTL 850 AM; TV: Channel 4 (CBS); Channel 6 (NBC); Channel 7 (FOX); or Channel 10 (ABC).
Depending on the type and severity of expected flooding, residents may be advised through the news media or drive-by notifications from first responders to either shelter-in-place or evacuate. Residents should utilize one of the evacuation routes identified in their family disaster plans.
The NWS will issue a Flash Flood Warning for Broward County, or parts of the county, when floodwaters are forecast to enter buildings and pose a threat to life and/or property within six hours. Normally, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) will be activated.
An Urban Flood Advisory will be issued when flooding to urban streets, underpasses and/or low-lying areas is occurring or is probable and is not expected to threaten life or property.
The NWS will issue a Coastal Flood Watch when coastal flooding is possible within 12 to 36 hours. A Coastal Flood Warning will be issued when coastal flooding is occurring or is expected to occur within 12 hours.
Residents should monitor the following local radio and TV stations for flood warning and evacuation information: Radio: WIOD 610 AM, or WFTL 850 AM; TV: Channel 4 (CBS); Channel 6 (NBC); Channel 7 (FOX); or Channel 10 (ABC).
Depending on the type and severity of expected flooding, residents may be advised through the news media or drive-by notifications from first responders to either shelter-in-place or evacuate. Residents should utilize one of the evacuation routes identified in their family disaster plans.
If the cost of reconstructing, rehabilitating, expanding, or making other improvements to a flood-damaged building equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, the NFIP requires the building to meet the same construction and code requirements as a new building. Substantially damaged buildings must also meet the same standards.
If a building or part of a building sustained 50% damage or decay, (as determined by the Building Official using the valuation criteria set forth in the Florida Building Code), or deteriorated from its original value or structure, it shall be demolished. In cases where a building cannot be repaired and brought up to code, it shall be demolished.
If a building or part of a building sustained 50% damage or decay, (as determined by the Building Official using the valuation criteria set forth in the Florida Building Code), or deteriorated from its original value or structure, it shall be demolished. In cases where a building cannot be repaired and brought up to code, it shall be demolished.
The City of Parkland has created several resources to advise residents of the local flood hazard and raise awareness of measures residents can take to property themselves, their families and their property in the event of a flood in our area. Please download the following publications for more information:
Links to Brochures
Links to Brochures
Listed below are the FEMA descriptions for Flood Zone Designations
Zone A
- Zone A is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the one-percent annual chance floodplains that are determined in the Flood Insurance Study by approximate methods of analysis. Because detailed hydraulic analyses are not performed for such areas, no Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Zone AE and A1-A30
- Zones AE and A1-A30 are the flood insurance rate zones that correspond to the one-percent annual chance floodplains that are determined in the Flood Insurance Study by detailed methods of analysis. In most instances, Base Flood Elevations derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Zone AH
- Zone AH is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of one-percent annual chance shallow flooding with a constant water-surface elevation (usually areas of ponding) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. The Base Flood Elevations derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Zone AO
- Zone AO is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of one-percent shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. Average flood depths derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown within this zone. In addition, alluvial fan flood hazards are shown as Zone AO on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Zone VE
- Zone VE is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to areas within the one-percent annual chance coastal floodplain that have additional hazards associated with storm waves. Base Flood Elevations derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Zones B, C, and X
- Zones B, C, and X are the flood insurance rate zones that correspond to areas outside the one-percent annual chance floodplain, areas of one-percent annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of one-percent annual chance stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile, or areas protected from the one-percent annual chance flood by levees. No Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this zone. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones.
In the event that your property suffers flood damage, you may need to hire a contractor to make repairs. Whether your are making storm repairs or home improvements, it is important to hire a licensed contractor. See the following information for tips on choosing a contractor:
Protect Your Investment
Protect Your Investment