Flood Information

Floodplain Management Plan

The integrated Volusia County Floodplain Management Plan was developed by the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council for Volusia County and the jurisdictions within. The plan is designed to encompass a snapshot of floodplain hazards throughout the county and also provide separate jurisdictional plans developed as the appendices of the main plan. This design promotes a unified approach to mitigation and planning efforts and consistency across the county. This plan is integrated with the Volusia County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS).

(2018 update) Integrated Volusia County Floodplain Management Plan (PDF)

Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report 2023

This report is prepared for submittal for continued credit under the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS). It is designed to provide a short update and report on accomplishments toward implementing the community's Floodplain Management plan. It is submitted to the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as part of the City's annual CRS recertification.

Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report 2023 (PDF)

Volusia County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Mitigation Strategy

The City of Port Orange has adopted the Volusia County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS). The LMS is a document that was prepared by Volusia County that establishes a community vision and guiding principles for reducing environmental hazard risks and vulnerabilities. The overall goal of the LMS is to reduce potential damage and destruction of both public and private property, and to reduce the disruption of the local economy and overall quality of life of individuals who live, work, and vacation in the community.

Local Mitigation Strategy (PDF)

Defining Flood Risks

Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding. To help communities understand their flood risk, flood maps (Flood Insurance Rate Maps, FIRMs) are created by FEMA to show the locations of high-risk, moderate-to-low risk and undetermined-risk areas. The FIRM provides information that allows the map user to:

Identify Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) subject to flooding
Identify the location of a specific property
Estimate the base flood elevation at a specific site
Determine the flood insurance zone at a specific site
Determine the location of the regulatory floodway

Assistance

The Community Development Department will assist the public, development professionals, realtors and insurance agents in determining if a property is in a SFHA, which flood zones it is in, base flood elevations, if it is located in a floodway, if a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Change based on fill (LOMR-F) was issued, any local drainage problems, historical flood information and if there are areas that should be protected because of their natural floodplain functions.

Letter

A letter from the City, certifying the flood zone assigned to a particular piece of property, is available upon request. Also available upon request is a copy of an elevation certificate for structures built within a SFHA after 1991. Residents are also helped with reading and understanding the FIRMs. Information regarding the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement is provided.

Flooding

If you live in the City of Port Orange and have a flooding problem, please call Engineering at 386-506-5607 or Public Works at 386-506-5575. Upon request, site visits are made to review the drainage and flooding problems and one-on-one advice is provided to the property owner.

Community Rating System

The City of Port Orange also participates in a voluntary program for NFIP-participating communities, which is called the Community Rating System (CRS) program. This program provides incentives for communities to go beyond the minimum floodplain management requirements to develop extra measures to provide protection from flooding. The incentives are in the form of premium discounts of up to 45%. FEMA, through the CRS, recognizes City of Port Orange as a 'Class 5' community. With this designation, all residents within the City of Port Orange that currently carry FEMA flood insurance qualify to receive 25% discount on their annual FEMA flood insurance policy premium.

Flood Outreach Projects:
Know your Risk of Flooding	Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding. To find out what flood zone your property is located in or to learn about historical flooding, localized drainage issues, repetitive loss areas, topographic issues, wetlands, and areas affected by a Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS), please contact the City’s Community Development Engineering Staff or visit the Volusia County web page for Flood Basics
You Should buy flood insurance. Flood Insurance is available anywhere in Volusia County	Standard Homeowners’ policies do not cover flooding from rising water. Did you know that all communities in Volusia County participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)? This means all property owners can purchase flood insurance for structures and contents within Volusia County. Renters can purchase insurance for their belongings too.
Follow proper safety precautions and Turn Around, Don’t Drown.	• You can protect yourself from flood hazards by taking measures to ensure the safety of life and property before, during, and after a flood. • Monitor your weather radio. Listen for instructions from Volusia County Emergency Management. Watch local news for weather updates and evacuation orders. • When walking, do not attempt to cross flowing streams. • Know your evacuation routes before flooding occurs. • Find a place where your family can safely meet up after an evacuation order is issued. • Do not drive through flooded areas. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. • Don’t drive around road barriers. • Special needs citizens should preregister for evacuation assistance.
Keep debris and trash out of streams and ditches	• It is everyone’s job to help preserve natural areas • Keep creeks, streams, and ditches clean and free of debris • Do not drain pools directly into streams
Get a permit before you build	• Build responsibly. • If you plan on improving your insured structure or your home has sustained damage where repairs cost 50% or more of the building pre-damaged, you will be required to bring your structure up to current building and floodplain standards. • Make sure you get a permit before you build, and work with a licensed contractor. • Elevation Certificates for new construction or substantial improvements may be available by contacting the City’s Community Development Engineering Staff.
Keep your waterway clean. Limit use of fertilizers and pesticides.	• Don’t dump grass or other items in storm drains • Scoop the poop - Keep pet waste from entering waterways • Use a car wash
You can protect your house from flooding	• Several effective techniques include: relocation of a building to a site that is not subject to flooding, construction of flood walls or berms to keep water away from the property or retrofitting structures to make them flood proof. • To speak with someone about flood protection advice and assistance and for information about types of financial assistance that may be available for these techniques, please contact the City’s Community Development Engineering Staff.
Check with your agent to see if you are fully insured	To find out more about flood insurance for your property and its contents, speak to an insurance professional to understand your flood insurance needs and to see if you are fully insured. Information is also available by calling the City’s Community Development Engineering Staff and from the FEMA Flood Smart website.
Important Flood Outreach Projects:	• Insure your Property for your Flood Hazard • Protect People from the Hazard • Protect your Property from the Hazard • Build Responsibly with a Special Flood Hazard Area Construction Permit if located in the Special Flood Hazard Area • Protect Natural Floodplain Functions