![]() ![]() ![]() If you do not know the date of construction of your building, this information is usually available in the Alachua County Property Appraiser records. If a structure was built inside the City limits before October 3, 1971, it is considered to be Pre-FIRM. The date of the Alachua County's initial FIRM is September 28, 1984. To help with these costs, the NFIP has 'Grandfather Rules' that recognize policy holders who have maintained continuous flood insurance coverage and those who have built in compliance with the FIRM. The date of the City of Gainesville's initial FIRM is October 3, 1971. ![]() Property owners may now be required by their lender to purchase flood insurance for the first time or see their rate classification change because of the new FIRM. Gainesville’s special flood hazard areas on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are currently confined to Zone A, AE zones These types of flooding events generally dissipate within minutes. Gainesville also has significant prairie and wetland areas around the above mentioned lakes, but also including Payne’s Prairie, Hogtown Prairie, and portions of Kanapaha Prairie. These areas have also been historical locations of local flooding.įlooding in Gainesville is historically caused by heavy rainfall, either from sustained duration, such as a tropical storm, or from severe thunderstorms that can produce localized flooding generally when the intensity of the rainfall event exceeds the capacity of the storm drain systems. Most flooding in Gainesville occurs near our major water bodies which include creeks, lakes, and ponds. Major creek systems include Sweetwater Branch, Hogtown and Possum creek systems, Little Hatchet Creek, and Lake Forest Creek. Clear Lake and Newnans Lake are our two largest lakes, with Lake Alice being within the University of Florida campus. The NFIP defines a flood as "A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties." The City of Gainesville encompasses approximately 34,588 acres of land, and about 9,934 acres, or 23%, of that land lies within a FEMA designated flood zone. This management of the floodplain is done to ensure that flooding problems do not increase and to work towards reducing the risk of flooding. In order for a community to offer flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program ( NFIP) the community is required to enforce certain minimum regulations on development in the floodplain. Since 1987, new homes and business located in floodplains have been reviewed for compliance with the Gainesville flood ordinance. Lakes, creeks and wetlands not only provide valuable natural function, they also provide beautiful settings for nature parks and hiking trails as well as private homes. Floodplains that surround local water bodies also provide storage and conveyance of runoff from heavy rainfall that help reduce the impacts of flooding. Local waterways provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Water quality is improved through wetlands and creek vegetative buffers that filter nutrients and impurities from runoff. Its many natural creeks, lakes, and wetlands provide a wide range of benefits. Gainesville is a beautiful place to live. If you are looking for information concerning a current emergency event, including press releases, situation reports, shelter information, and evacuations please visit the Alachua County Emergency Management home page ![]()
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