State Floodplain Management Program
The Division of Emergency Management serves as the State Coordinating Agency of the National Flood Insurance Program to work with Florida's municipalities and counties to administer their local flood damage reduction regulations. The State Floodplain Management Program promotes and ensures sound land use development in floodplain areas in order to promote the health and safety of the public, minimize loss of life and property, and reduce economic losses caused by flood damages.
The State Floodplain Management Office is a unit in the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation. Floodplain Management Specialists work with Florida's communities to help them successfully manage development in flood zones. The office staff visits communities to offer technical assistance to improve administration of local floodplain management ordinances and the flood provisions of the Florida Building Code and to monitor community performance to ensure compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program development regulations in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
The State Floodplain Management Office also coordinates and collaborates on the following activities:
- Map Modernization and FEMA Risk MAP priorities
- Integration of flood-resistant standards into the Florida Building Code
- Coordination with Federal flood mitigation grant programs
- Integration of floodplain management concepts and tasks into multi-jurisdictional local mitigation strategies developed by counties and municipalities
- Participation in maintaining the State Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan and planning process
- Consultation with State agencies on state-owned facilities in special flood hazard areas
- Training of local floodplain managers and building officials, in partnership with the Florida Floodplain Managers Association (FFMA)
- Coordination with the Florida Dam Safety Program
- Partnerships with federal, state and local organizations pertinent to floodplain management
The National Flood Insurance Program is a federally-subsidized flood damage insurance program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents and business owners are eligible to purchase NFIP flood insurance policies in communities that agree to regulate development in special flood hazard areas. These areas are delineated by FEMA on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Learn more about NFIP flood insurance by contacting your insurance agent or company that provides your homeowner’s insurance.
State of Florida has over 20.1 million residents, and 80 percent of them live or work along or near our coastline. Many other residents live and work near many of the State's rivers and other inland floodplains. Community officials, residents, and business owners are concerned about protecting lives and property from future flooding. As of June 30, 2018, more than 1.77 million NFIP flood insurance policies are in force in Florida, representing nearly 35 percent of all policies nationwide. These policies equate to more than $439 billion dollars of insurance coverage. Since 1978, Floridians have received more than $5 billion dollars in claim payments. While flood insurance does not stop the damage, it does provide owners with financial resources to help recover.
What is floodplain management? For an overview of what Florida counties, cities and towns must do to regulate special flood hazard areas, read the Florida Quick Guide for Floodplain Management.
FEMA Publications about NFIP Insurance
Publications for homeowners and business owners are available, including information about what to do before a flood, purchasing flood insurance, understanding what flood insurance covers and doesn’t cover, the NFIP Claims Handbook, more. Look under Stuffers, Brochures, Information Sheets, and Booklets.
Flood maps and community contacts
- Future FEMA Flood Maps
- How to Use FEMA's Flood Map Search
- Flood Insurance & Flood Maps
- Local Florida Floodplain Managers Contact Information
State Floodplain Management Office
floods@em.myflorida.com
(850) 815-4556
