Flood Information

The Community FEMA, Flood Insurance and the Florida Building Code

Mount Dora’s City Council passed the “Model Flood Ordinance” and the update to the Land Development Code and the Code of Ordinances on August 21, 2012. On December 18, 2012 the newest FEMA Firm maps for Lake County and the associated communities within will go into effect.

The Lake County GIS map maybe be accessed online, and printed maps will be available for viewing at City Hall in Building & Fire Prevention Construction Services. Please call to ensure someone is available to assist with the new maps at (352) 735-7115 x 1706.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

On March 15, 2012 the 2010 Florida Building Code became effective. One of the major changes this code cycle was the integration of the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) requirements into the building code. What will this change? In essence this will be a small change to the way flood management is accomplished. The requirements of construction work covered by the building code were moved from the local flood ordinance to a standardized version within the building code and the remaining flood requirements were incorporated into a new “Model Flood Ordinance” created by the Florida Department of Emergency Management with technical advice from the Building Officials of Association of Florida and members of the Florida Floodplain Managers Association.

FEMA Requires community participation in the NFIP. For communities that do not participate, property owners:

Can not purchase flood insurance
Can not obtain federally secured loans or mortgages on properties in high risk flood areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas or SFHA’s)
Will not be eligible for federal disaster assistance in the event of a natural disaster

The Flood Map Determination Application (PDF) is available at the permitting counter at City Hall or on the city website under Doing Business in Applications & Forms.

Flood Zone FAQs

Is the house in a FEMA Floodplain?

This is determined by locating the house on a current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The FIRM map is available in City Hall. We can assist you, your insurance company, or real estate agent in determining which flood hazard area your house or building lot is located. Flood plain information is also indicated on the FEMA Elevation Certificate for the parcel.

What is the current elevation of the house?

An Elevation Certificate is the best source for this information and the only verification accepted by FEMA. Some older existing property surveys have this information. A Florida registered architect, engineer or land surveyor can prepare an Elevation Certificate for your property. All new homes and substantial improvements to older homes are required to obtain an Elevation Certificate, prior to Certificate of Occupancy. Copies of Elevation Certificates are available at City Hall.

What is the actual cost of repairs and improvements?

To determine costs you will need a cost estimate from a licensed general contractor or a professional estimator. The cost must include all materials, labor, overhead and profit. If the owner does the work, standard labor rates must be included. Items not included are: costs for plans, surveys, permit fees, post-storm clean up, demolition, debris removal, costs to correct current code violations, and all outside improvements to items not directly attached to the structure.

How is current market value of the house determined?

For the purposes of determining substantial improvement or damage repair, market value pertains to the structure only. It does not pertain to the land, landscaping, or detached structures on the property. Estimates of market value can be obtained from the following:

The County Property Appraiser’s assessment records. The amount labeled Market Improvement Value is the improvements to the parcel less the value of the land.
An independent appraisal by a Florida registered appraiser. The appraisal must exclude the value of the land and any accessory structures.
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program claims data.

Flood Preparation and Safety: The Risk is Real so be Prepared

The first step in protecting your home and family is purchasing flood insurance. However, there are still a few things you can do to maximize your coverage, assure your safety, and prepare before a flood. Floods can happen anytime and anywhere, and they can happen fast. So whether you live on the river or not, you should always be ready. Here are some important things you can do to prepare:

Copy your most important documents (mortgage papers, deed, passport, bank information.) Keep copies in your home and store originals in a secure place outside the home, like a bank safe deposit box.
Take photos of your most valuable possessions (furniture, musical instruments, electronic equipment.) Store copies with other documents.
Save and store receipts for any expensive household items (appliances, electronic equipment, etc.) so that you have proof of original cost.
Make an itemized list of other possessions, such as clothing, books, small kitchen appliances, etc. You do not have to note every item and its cost, but the more comprehensive your list, the better.
Flood insurance only covers equipment essential to the structure of the building, such as a air conditioners and hot water heater.
Review your policy with your agent to make sure you have the proper level of protection.
Provide your insurance agent, employer, and family with emergency contact information, so that you can be reached after a flood.
Put aside an emergency kit equipped with a large flashlight, spare batteries, candles and waterproof matches.
Keep a minimum 3-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water on hand.
Include a battery-powered radio in your emergency kit. Even if you never experience a flood, this kit will be handy during a power outage.

Please visit DisasterAssistance.gov for more information.

Be Safe During A Flood

We hope that you never have to experience a flood firsthand however, there are a few things you can do to stay safe:

Don’t walk through a flooded area. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
Don’t drive through a flooded area. Just 2 feet of water can lift and move a car, even an SUV. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else during a flood.
Keep away from downed power lines and any other electrical wires – electrocution is often a major cause of death in floods.
Watch out for animals that have lost their homes during a flood. Animals may seek shelter in your home and aggressively defend themselves.
To learn more about staying safe before and during a flood, visit FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-435-6637 to talk to an agent in your area.

Flood Warning System

The city, in cooperation with Lake County, keeps our residents informed about potential flooding. The Lake County EOC (Emergency Operation Center) in coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) relays updates of threatening weather to government and media outlets. The NWS will issue a flood advisory for our area at least 6 hours before expected rainfall would overflow our drainage systems and cause the isolation of buildings by inland water ponding. Tune in to the following radio and television stations for information on flood threats:

Television

Government access stations Bright House channel 199, Florida Cable channel 4, Lake-Sumter Community College Television (Comcast cable channel 13) and Lake Front TV (Comcast cable channel 22) air news conferences from the Lake County EOC.

Regular updates are also typically available on local television stations: NBC affiliate WESH-TV channel 2; CBS affiliate WKMG-TV channel 6; ABC affiliate WFTV-TV channel 9; FOX35 channel 35; Central Florida News 13 (Bright House Network cable only)

Radio

WLBE 790 AM
WVLG 640 AM
WQBQ 1410 AM
WKIQ 1240 AM
Z88.3 FM is the local entry point for Emergency Alert Stations (EAS). Z88.3 also operates the following stations in Lake County:
- WMYZ 88.7 FM Clermont
- W212BF 90.3 FM Tavares
- W240BV 95.9 FM Mount Dora
- W245AZ 96.9 FM Leesburg
- W274AX 102.7 FM Groveland

Newspaper

Daily newspapers that provide Lake County emergency information include the Lake Sentinel, The Daily Commercial, The Villages Daily Sun and Ocala Star-Banner.