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FLOOD SAFETY MEASURES
Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the most frequent
cause of death during a flood, especially a flash flood. Currents can be
deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you over. Use a pole or
stick to ensure that the ground is still there before you go through an area
where water is not flowing.
Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in cars than
anywhere else. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridges may be
washed out.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The second largest
killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical currents can travel
through water. Report downed power lines to Florida Power and Light (F.P.&L.)
or to the City of Pembroke Pines Environmental Services Division at (954)
435-6511.
Have your electricity turned off by the Power Company. Some
appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they
have been unplugged. Do not use those appliances or any motors that have
gotten wet.
Look out for animals, especially snakes, alligators and rodents.
Animals, which have been flooded out of their homes, may seek shelter in
yours. Use a pole or stick to poke, turn things over, and scare away any
animals.
Look before you step. Debris, such as broken bottles and nails, often
cover the ground after a flood. Wear protective covering (boots, e.g.) on
your feet at all times. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud
can be extremely slippery.
Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage.
Unless you know your gas has been turned off and the area has been
ventilated, do not smoke, use candles, lanterns, or open flames.
Carbon monoxide exhaust kills. Use generators or other
gasoline-powered machines, including camping stoves, outdoors. Charcoal
fumes are especially deadly. Cook with charcoal outside.
Clean every wet item. Floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals from
roads, farms, factories, and storage buildings. Therefore, flooded food,
medicine, and cosmetics can be very hazardous. When in doubt, throw them
out!
FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
The City of Pembroke Pines has adopted the Disaster Response Agreement with
Broward County and neighboring cities. The City has also developed the Peace
Time Emergency Plan to assist you in the flood watch, warning, impact and
recovery phases. Familiarize yourself with the evacuation routes located
along Pines Blvd, I-75, U.S. 27, the Florida Turnpike, and I-95. Flood
watches and warnings will be issued by all local radio and television
stations. If you have any questions on emergency measures or shelters,
please call: Broward County Emergency Management Division (954) 831-3900 or
the American Red Cross (954) 763-9900.
PROPERTY
PROTECTION
Every year, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than
any other type of natural disaster. While recent construction practices and
regulations have made new homes less prone to flooding, many existing
structures remain susceptible. Throughout the country there is a growing
interest from property owners to develop practical and cost effective
methods for reducing or eliminating exposures to flooding.
Retrofitting is a unique approach to reduce flooding because the property
itself remains subject to flooding while the building is modified to prevent
or minimize flooding of habitable space.
There are several recognizable approaches to retrofitting:
1. Elevation of the structure above flood protection levels.
2. Construction of barriers (floodwalls, berms, etc.)
3. Dry flood proofing (water tight floor and wall systems)
4. Wet flood proofing (constructing the flood prone areas so as to permit
the entry and passage of floodwaters and removing or relocating items of
value to higher elevation levels.
5. Maintaining approved slopes on lakes and waterways.
In the event of pending flood threats, it is always advisable to take the
following emergency actions:
1. Sand bagging to reduce erosion and scouring.
2. Elevate furniture above flood protection levels.
3. Create floodway openings in non-habitable areas such as garage doors.
4. Seal off sewer lines to the dwelling to prevent the backflow of sewer
waters.
Publications and assistance in property protection are available from the
City of Pembroke Pines Environmental
Services
Division at (954) 435-6511. Valuable information on flood protection is also
available on the FEMA
website
http://www.fema.gov/about/programs/nfip/
index.shtm.
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The City of Pembroke Pines provides
public information regarding flood hazards, flood insurance, and flood protection
and mitigation measures designed to correct existing deficiencies in flood prone
construction. For more information, call or write:
City of Pembroke Pines
Engineering Division
13975 Pembroke Road
Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
(954) 435-6511 Phone
(954) 435-6755 Fax
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DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The City of Pembroke Pines along with South Broward Drainage
District has implemented a plan to maintain and improve the drainage
systems throughout the City. SBDD conducts inspections of various
types of drainage structures twice a year to make sure they are
clear and free of debris.
They also have a team of personnel who can repair and clean drainage
structures throughout the City. There are also numerous regulations
against dumping in canals, lakes, and any drainage inlets. Since
many of our catch basins drain into our local waterways,
debris, including grass clippings can easily clog a catch basin and
cause localized flooding.
All violations can be reported to the South Broward Drainage
District (954) 680-3337 or Environmental Services (954) 435-6511.
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
In their undisturbed and natural state, the City’s wetlands provide
many beneficial functions and resources, including floodplain
management, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities.
Since 1978, the City has been working toward the preservation and
restoration of the Wetlands System to protect these functions and
resources for future generations.
Throughout the City there are many mitigation and natural preserves,
which serve this purpose. For example, Chapel Trail Nature Preserve
was created because a percentage of all new land development in the
city must be set aside for parks and mitigation areas. Chapel Trail
Nature Preserve is the largest such park in the City totaling 459
acres.
The main purpose of the park is to preserve and restore wildlife
habitat, and maintain the diversity and integrity of this unique
wetlands system.
LOCAL FLOOD HAZARDS
Florida had more than 13,000 flood insurance claims from September
2004 through September 2005. Our local flooding is primarily caused
by heavy rainfall that occurs in short periods of time, as is common
during summer thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
Because of the City’s proximity to the Everglades National Park, the
flood threat is significant.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has identified most
of the City as a Special Flood Hazard Area on the Flood Insurance
Rate Maps. These maps establish base flood elevations for
development within these areas with the lowest permitted habitable
flood level to be a minimum of 8 feet above sea level.
The potential for flood loss always exists when tropical storms and
hurricanes hit the area, such as when a storm hit in April 1979 and
dropped 17.5 inches of rainfall in less than 48 hours. In October
1999, Hurricane Irene released 16 inches of rain in 24 hours and
seven properties in Pembroke Pines received flood damage.
Another storm in October 2000 dropped 7+ inches in 48 hours and four
properties received flood damage. Residents need to respect these
hazards and be prepared to deal with them accordingly. Roughly 25%
of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program are for
policies in low to moderate risk communities.
ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE
The City of Pembroke Pines provides public information regarding
flood hazards, flood insurance, and flood protection and mitigation
measures designed to correct existing deficiencies in flood prone
construction. For more Information call or write.
City of Pembroke Pines
Environmental Services
13975 Pembroke Road
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33027
(954) 435-6511 phone
(954) 435-6755 fax
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