GIS Data Clearinghouses and Data Downloads
A GIS Data Clearinghouse is a distributed system of servers located on the internet which contain descriptions of available digital spatial data and services. The fundamental goal of a clearinghouse is to provide access to digital spatial data and related online services for data access, visualization, or order.
The State of Florida does not currently have official GIS clearinghouse. However, numerous data resources exist within the state, including -
- Florida Geographic Data Library - a mechanism for distributing spatial data throughout the state of Florida, warehoused and maintained at UF's GeoPlan Center (make sure to see their Data Source Links)
- Florida Imagery at FREAC - high-resolution imagery and other data provided by FSU's Florida Resources and Environmental Analysis Center
- Florida Aerial Photography Archive Collection - high-resolution imagery provided by Florida Department of Transporation
- GIS Data Download - provided by Florida Department of Health
- Geodata Directory - provided by Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- GIS Data Directory - provided by Florida Department of Transporation
- GIS and Mappng - provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
- Central Florida GIS Clearinghouse - provided by Central Florida GIS
- Florida GeoSpatial Metadata Index - Funded by a USGS CAP grant through the Florida Institute of Government with technical support by FSU's Florida Resources and Environmental Analysis Center
Framework Data
The Federal Geographic Data Committee has established several key GIS data themes to be the framework within the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. These GIS data themes are believed to be the key to support the sharing of resources, improving communications, and increasing efficiency. Statewide data themes available are:
- Geodetic Control (the reference of geographic information to the actual ground position of the data) - provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Land Boundary Information.
- Cadastral (property boundaries and ownership) - provided by the Florida Department of Revenue.
- Orthoimagery (spatially accurate and ground referenced aerial photography) - provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Land Boundary Information.
- Elevation (digital data indicating the elevation above sea level at any point) - Elevation Contours and Depressions provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Bathymetry provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Reseach Institute.
- Hydrography (rivers, streams, lakes, etc.) - Florida National Hydrographic Dataset provided by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- Administrative units (boundaries of cities, counties, and special purpose districts)
- Transportation (features such as roads, bridges, railroads, ports, and airports) - Many transporation data layers are provided by the Florida Department of Transporation. An airport facility locator is also provided by the Florida Department of Transporation's Aviation Office.
Critical Facilities
"Critical facilities" are defined as those structures from which essential services and functions for victim survival, continuation of public safety actions, and disaster recovery are performed or provided. Shelters, emergency operation centers, public health, public drinking water, sewer and wastewater facilities are examples of critical facilities. Please see Critical Facilities for more information.
Emergency Services locations are also available through GATOR and as KML.
Evacuation Routes
Statewide evacuation routes (last updated 05/28/2009) are compiled from Regional Evacuation Studies. Maps are available for those counties with designated evacuation routes.
Hurricane Evacuation Zones
Hurricane Evacuation zones are also compiled from Regional Evacuation Studies.
- Zipped file geodatabase (10 MB)
- Zipped shapefile (190 MB)
Storm Surge Zones
Storm surge zones (last updated 02/19/2013) are also compiled from Regional Evacuation Studies. Maps are available for those counties with designated storm surge zones.
NOTE: In April 2012, an error was discovered with version 6 of this data. New data has been uploaded, and anyone who has previously downloaded this data should do so again. Additionally, in May 2012 zones were merged within counties and attributes were added summarizing population and facility counts within each zone.
- Zipped file geodatabase (235 MB)
- Zipped shapefile (290 MB)
Flood Zones
Flood zones are geographic areas that FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. To find out about flood zones in your area, visit FloodSmart.gov, FEMA Map Service Center, and FEMA Mapping Information Platform.
To download GIS data layers for the historical Q3 zones and latest DFIRMs, follow this link to the Florida Geographic Data Library and click Start Search.
A REST map service for Q3 and DFIRM may be accessed at http://map.floridadisaster.org/GIS/rest/services/Hazards/Flood_Zones/MapServer and FEMA provides access to the National Flood Hazard Layer via KML.
Additionally, Florida's Water Management Districts are involved in flood zone map modernization, and more details are availalbe at the following websites -
Northwest Florida Water Management District
South Florida Water Management District
Southwest Florida Water Management District
St. Johns River Water Management District
Suwanne River Water Management District
