|
Flood Warning Stage:
-
Keep
tuned to local stations for evacuation information.
-
Avoid putting rescue workers at risk - obey evacuation
orders.
-
Store drinking water in sterile, covered containers.
-
Move
valuable objects higher. Place them on shelves, tables and
counter tops.
-
Fuel your vehicle and check oil and water.
During
The Flood Stage:
After The Flood:
Flood Warning System
The Tampa Bay area, including St. Petersburg, depends on the
National Weather Service (NWS) for flood threat recognition. The
NWS Tampa Bay Area (Ruskin, Florida) issues flood advisories for
our area when expected rainfall could overflow drainage systems
and cause isolation of structures due to ponding of flood
waters. Local radio and television stations routinely broadcast
flood threat advisories issued by the NWS. Radio station 100.7
WMTX-FM is the primary Emergency Alert System station for the
Tampa Bay Area. Cable television systems of AOL/ Time Warner and
Verizon serve Pinellas County. Pinellas County Government Access
television is Channel 18. City of St. Petersburg WSPF-TV
Government Access television is Channel 15 on cable systems and
at Channel 35 on the UHF television band. These government
access channels may issue flood warning information in support
of emergency operations that may be implemented.
Flood Safety
If you are advised to evacuate, turn off utilities at the main
switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances, but do not
touch any electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in
water. Avoid fast flowing water or unstable banks.
Flood Insurance
Flood damage and content coverage is not covered by normal
homeowners insurance but is available for property within the
City of St. Petersburg through the National Flood Insurance
Program, and is backed by the federal government. Make sure you
have content coverage. All floodplain properties (shaded areas
on map) with federally backed mortgages (FHA, VA, FNMA, etc.)
must have flood insurance.
Floodplain Development Permit Requirements
All buildings under construction within the City of St.
Petersburg require permits. Contact the Construction Services &
Permitting Division at One Fourth Street North prior to any
construction activities at (727) 893-7231.
Substantial Improvement Requirements
The City of St. Petersburg and the National Flood Insurance
Program require that if the cost of reconstruction,
rehabilitation, additions, or other improvements to a building
equals or exceeds 50% of the buildings market value, the
building must meet the same construction requirements including
lowest floor elevations, as a new building. Substantially
damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards.
Substantial
Improvement Review Application
Drainage System
Proper drainage helps reduce the risk of flooding. It is illegal
for any direct or indirect entry of any solid, liquid or gaseous
matter into the drainage system. The City inspects the drainage
system and removes blockages that are found or reported. If you
live near areas where waters flow, you can help this process by
keeping the banks clear of brush and debris. Violations should
be reported to the Mayors Action Center (727) 893-7111.
Natural and Beneficial Functions
The City of St. Petersburg has designated/zoned approximately
1,965 acres as Environmental Preservation due to their
vegetative, water table and 100-year floodplain characteristics.
These natural areas are in public and private ownership and are
protected from adverse impact and/or development by
implementation of the Environmental Preservation section of the
Zoning Ordinance (i.e., Section 29-208) which requires that they
be maintained free of nuisance exotic vegetation and any
alteration or encroachment must first be approved by the City.
The undisturbed natural areas within St. Petersburg act as a
natural storage area for flood waters, reducing the possibility
of flooding to nearby residences while helping to recharge the
groundwater aquifer. Please help keep these areas natural and
beautiful by reporting any illegal dumping, encroachment of
nuisance exotic vegetation, or clearing activities to the City
of St. Petersburg Development Services Department at (727)
893-7153.
Map Link and
Determinations
The City provides Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) determinations
to let you know if you are in a flood hazard area and if you are
required by federal law to carry flood insurance. Flood
Insurance Rate Maps and parcel specific flood zone information
can be viewed at:
http://pubgis.co.pinellas.fl.us/firmmaps/.
Additional flood hazard information is available in the Main
Library at 3745 9th Avenue North. For additional
assistance determining your flood zone call (727)893-7381.
Site Visits
The property owner may request a site visit and will be provided
with a review of potential flooding, drainage, and sewer
problems. To request a site visit, please call Mayors Action
Center (727) 893-7111.
Sand
Bags
The city makes sand bags available upon the declaration of a
tropical storm warning. When an official warning is declared,
the city makes sand, shovels and bags available to city
residents (with proof of residence through a driver’s license)
at two city locations:
-
Mangrove Bay Golf Course (the parking lot at Northeast Park,
62nd Avenue and Cardinal Drive).
-
Grandview Park (the parking lot next to the park at 6th St.
and 39th Ave. S.)
Sand bags are limited to 20 bags per resident, and staff will be
on hand to assist seniors and others who may be unable to fill
and load their own sand bags.
|
