Most residents of Cape Coral live in a flood zone that falls into a category called a “Special Flood Hazard Area.” These areas are the V-Zone and A-Zone on the Flood Zone map. B-Zone and C-Zone are not considered part of the Special Flood Hazard Area, but just because your property is in one of the less susceptible flood zones does not mean you have no need for concern. Twenty-five percent of flooding occurs outside areas formally designated as being flood-prone (i.e. Special Flood Hazard Areas).

Flood insurance is required for many property owners; however, this insurance is available to all properties in Cape Coral, including property in the B-Zone and C-Zone (these zones can be insured at a lower insurance premium than the higher risk areas).

Cape Coral’s Flooding Threat
Flooding in Cape Coral can occur from two causes, heavy rain and storm surge. Torrential rain is often associated with tropical storms. Aside from localized street flooding, the Cape’s stormwater infrastructure has proven to perform well relative to preventing flood losses to homes and businesses during torrential rainstorms. However, it may not have adequate capacity if it rains hard enough for an extended period or if pipes get clogged. Many of the underground pipes, particularly in the southeast section of the city are susceptible to corrosion. When this happens, soil can enter the system and severely reduce the capacity. The other flood threat – storm surge -- is a phenomenon usually associated with hurricanes. It results from air pressure driving waters against the gravitational forces that usually determine the boundaries between land and sea. Amazingly, the storm surge can be as high as 25 feet in an intense hurricane. The flood zone map indicates the susceptibility of each area to flooding. The following information provides suggestions of actions you can take to protect yourself and your property.

It is important to know your flood hazard. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Cape Coral Branch of the Lee County Public Library. Flood Zone maps also can be viewed at City Hall. These maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM for short), are available in our Planning Division, and if you would like assistance reading the maps, please ask our staff for help. If you are buying a home or property, you can call 574-0553 with the block and lot numbers to find out the flood zone.

What You Can Do:
Several of the City’s efforts to prevent flooding depend on your cooperation and assistance. This is how you can help:

• Do not dump or throw anything into the swales, drainage inlets, canals, basins or river. Dumping into these waters is a violation of City of Cape Coral Code of Ordinances, Section 9-16. This includes lawn clippings, horticultural trimmings, dirt and fill material, and other construction debris. Keep in mind that any dirt or lawn clippings blown into the street eventually will be washed into the drainage system. Also, construction sites are required to have erosion protection devices. Material such as silt and sand can reduce the capacity or plug the drainage system. If this occurs, the system cannot carry the water away as it was engineered to do. If you see dumping, please notify Code Enforcement at 574-0613.
  
• If your property is next to a drainage inlet, canal, or river, please keep inlets open and the banks clear of brush and debris.
  
• Always check with the Department of Community Development, Building Division (574-0546) before you build on, alter, regrade, or deposit fill on your property. You may need a permit to ensure that projects do not cause problems on other properties. If you see building or filling without a city permit sign posted, notify Code Enforcement at 574-0613.
  
• Familiarize yourself with the following information on the flood warning system, flood safety, property protection, flood insurance, remodeling requirements, and beneficial functions of wetlands.

Emergency Warning System
The Lee County Emergency Operations Center provides the Emergency Warning System for Cape Coral. Tune in local radio or television stations listed in the side bar for the latest distribution of emergency information. Severe weather and flood warning threats also are continuously broadcast by the National Weather Service on special weather radios, Channel 4, 162.475 MHz. Because any storm is likely to interrupt electric power, it is important that you have a tuner that can operate on battery power and that you have a supply of fresh batteries. Be prepared for interruptions of service from cable television providers. Emergency vehicles may also broadcast emergency information over an amplified speaker.

Flood Safety
Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you must walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there before you step farther. Floodwaters also can carry microorganisms capable of causing disease via skin contact.

Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.

Avoid power lines and electrical wires. The No. 2 flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to the power company or City emergency management offices.

Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.

Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs covered with mud can be very slippery.

Flood Insurance
Most homeowner's and renter's insurance policies exclude protection from damage caused by flooding. Almost any building is insurable against flooding through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which offers affordable, federally backed insurance. Structures under construction also are insurable. Contents of insurable buildings can be covered by a separate policy, also making flood insurance available to renters. Because the City provides more than the minimum required flood plain management, properties within the City are eligible for a 15 percent premium reduction.

Many people purchased flood insurance because the bank required it when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Unless you requested that your flood insurance policy cover the contents, it may only cover the structure. It is possible that flooding waters could cause more damage to the contents than to the structure. If you are in a V-Zone or an A-Zone, you are four times more likely to experience a flood than a fire. For properties in a B, C, or X-Zone, the insurance premium is significantly less. Note that nearly one-third of the claims that the National Flood Insurance Program receives comes from these lower risk areas.

Substantial Improvement Requirements
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement to a building equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building’s market value, then the building must meet current flood zone construction requirements. Substantially damaged buildings also must be brought up to the same standards. Article VI of the City of Cape Coral Land Use and Development Regulations (pages LU-194 through LU 211.5) specifies details on flood damage prevention. This information is available at the City Clerk’s office.

Natural and Beneficial Functions of Wetlands
In Cape Coral, the areas most susceptible to tropical storm tidal surge are located near the coastline of Charlotte Harbor, Matlacha Pass and the Caloosahatchee River. These vast areas extend from Burnt Store Marina to just north of Four Mile Cove Ecological Preserve. Most of these areas with the highest susceptibility to flooding are preservation lands owned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. By preserving the native vegetation consisting of salt marshes and mangrove communities, residents of Cape Coral gain significant protection. The mangroves, in particular, stabilize the shoreline during hurricanes. The mangroves have prop roots, leaves, and branches that offer frictional resistance to flowing water. This reduces storm erosion and decreases the speed of the flow of tidal inundation. It also allows the settling of particulate matter. Trees use these sediments and the nutrients in the water for growth. Additionally, the wetlands provide areas for propagation of marine life, bird life, water quality enhancement for surrounding waters, and aesthetic benefits. It is in the best interest of Cape Coral to make sure that the functional integrity of these areas is not degraded.

Because most of us have not been though a major hurricane or experienced flooding, the devastation caused by these storms is hard to visualize. Experts who have studied the problem of storm damage and ways to mitigate the consequences formulated the recommendations provided herein. Additional information about hurricane procedures is available in the Sprint Yellow Pages directory. It contains a map showing evacuation zones for Lee County, primary evacuation routes, and the locations of Red Cross-managed emergency public shelters. The telephone directory has lists of materials you should have on hand for a hurricane or flood event. More detailed information is available in the All Hazards Guide, prepared by Lee County Emergency Management, available at City Hall. By considering this information, attending hurricane seminars, purchasing flood insurance, and tuning into media broadcasts and other sources of information, you may prevent loss of property and life.

For more information, contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency at www.fema.gov or the Lee County Emergency Operations Center at www.leeeoc.com.

Information on the hurricane season can be found at the Florida State University Meteorology Department's website: http://www.met.fsu.edu/explores/tropical.html