LTC 075-2017 Elevating Roads and Reducing Flood Risk - Frequently Asked QuestionsMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC #
075-2017
LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO:
Mayor Philip Levine and Members •f the City
FROM:
Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE:
February 9, 2017
SUBJECT:
ELEVATING ROADS AND REDUCI G FLOOD RISK- FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (FAQs)
I am pleased to share this list of Frequently Asked Questions with regards to elevating
roads and reducing flood risk. This list was created by staff from several departments to
provide targeted information to property owners in neighborhoods who may have
questions. Public information officers working with CIP and Public Works will be sharing
this information with our businesses and residents.
The City of Miami Beach has made a commitment to invest in public infrastructure to
reduce flood risk associated with rainfall, storms, and sea level rise. All coastal
communities face this type of risk, but Miami Beach is leading the way to reduce that
risk. The City is the most proactive in South Florida, and even nationally. We are
investing in raising roads, installing stormwater pumps, raising sea walls, and creating
higher elevation standards for new and substantial construction.
The FAQs are intended for property owners who may have questions about how this will
affect their neighborhood and private property. They are intended for those that are new
to Miami Beach, or those who have spent their whole lives here. The FAQs have
answers for questions we have most commonly heard since the onset of this program.
They cover topics such as how elevated roads will transition into private property, flood
insurance, and personal property adaptation. These FAQs will be built upon over time.
The City of Miami Beach is committed to resilience- being ready to survive, adapt, grow
and also thrive in this changing world. If you have any questions please reach out to
Susanne M. Torriente or me.
Thank you for your continued support.
JM/SMT/ALK
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Elevating. Roads and Reducing Flood Risk
WILL ROADS BE ELEVATED IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
The City of Miami Beach has made a commitment to invest in public infrastructure
to reduce flood risk associated with rainfall, storms, and sea level rise. All coastal
communities face this, but Miami Beach is leading the way to reduce that risk. The
City is the most proactive in South Florida, and even nationally. We are investing in
raising roads, installing stormwater pumps, raising sea walls, and creating higher
elevation standards for new and substantial construction.
As an existing property owner, you may have questions about how this will affect
you and your private property. Whether you are new to Miami Beach, or you have
spent your whole life here, we understand that this is a change in your
neighborhood. It's important that your questions are answered. The following FAQs
have answers for questions the City has heard since the onset of the program. They
cover topics such as how elevated roads will transition into private property, flood
insurance, and personal property adaptation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1. How will the newly elevated roads transition to my driveway and property?
• The City is committed to meeting with each of the property owners on a
case-by-case basis in regards to planned construction to elevate roads in
their neighborhood. The project team will determine how much your
driveway will need to be gently sloped from the right of way line at the
rate of 1 foot vertical per each 7 feet horizontal. Special exceptions are
being made in certain conditions that exist such as sidewalks and
landscaping. If the latter exist, then modifications will be made.
2. Will elevating the roads flood my property?
• The street improvement projects are designed to capture and manage all
water within the public right of way. If the present drainage from private
property flows to the street, when the street is raised, this water will have to
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change the direction of flow to other locations on the private property.
Water will not flow from the elevated City street into private property.
3. Will elevating the roads impact flood insurance?
• Elevating roadways is one of many positive steps a community can take
to mitigate risks and increase their resilience to natural hazards.
• Once completed, the elevations associated with the roadways can be
taken into account in modeling applied to FEMA's Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRM), potentially changing modeling results that support the
hazards depicted on the maps.
• Currently, FEMA is updating these maps in Miami-Dade County, including
the City of Miami Beach. Completed work will be incorporated, as
possible, into the ongoing modeling. Future changes, or changes unable
to be incorporated due to timing issues, can be incorporated through the
FEMA Letter of Map Change process. Any change in Base Flood Elevation,
regardless of its origin, will impact the flood insurance rating, which is done
on an individual structure basis taking into consideration a number of
flood risk factors. We expect draft maps for comment by 2018 and final
maps by 2021. The City will make sure that FEMA has the best and latest
available data before the maps are finalized, Existing maps are located
here: https://gisweb.miamidade.gov/floodzone/
4. What is the City doing to reduce your personal flood insurance premiums?
• The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program Community
Rating System, and is in the top performance tier of all Miami-Dade
County cities. Our score currently saves residents 20% on their flood
insurance premiums - an estimated $6 million annually. This equates to
$136 in savings for the average $527 premium. We strongly encourage
you to obtain flood insurance, as 93% of existing buildings on Miami Beach
are in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as defined by FEMA.
• The most effective way to reduce the cost of flood insurance is for the first
finished floor of a property to be above the FEMA Base Flood Elevation
(BFE). For more information about flood insurance rates, we advise you to
contact your flood insurance agent.
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5. What can I do to help prevent flooding on my property?
• Elevating roads does NOT mean you are at increased flood risk. On the
contrary, your flood risk is reduced because of the new advanced
drainage system designed to remove storm water from the public right of
way. However, as a property owner in a floodplain community like Miami
Beach, there are available options to reduce the risk of flood damage to
your property. Similar to reducing the risk of hurricane damage through
home improvements, such as hurricane impact windows and shutters,
there are several retrofitting options that can be explored:
• Wet flood proofing makes uninhabited parts of your building
resistant to flood damage when water is allowed to enter during
flooding. This retrofitting method is only appropriate for
uninhabitable areas such as garages and limited storage areas.
• Using flood resistant materials, such as concrete or tile as opposed
to wood, can reduce damage and make cleanup quick in the
case of water entering your home or garage.
• Dry-flood proofing is sealing your building to prevent flood waters
from entering. This retrofitting method is good alternative when a
non-residential building cannot be elevated. In order to obtain the
same flood insurance rating as a building that would be elevated
to Design Flood Elevation, the building must be dry-flood proofed
to 1 foot above BFE (Base Flood Elevation).
• Flood wall protection means constructing barriers to prevent flood
waters from entering your property.
• Increasing the height of your lowest livable space can reduce flood
risk. Elevation means adjusting the lowest floor of a building,
equipment and appliances above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
This can mean adapting your floor elevations wherever possible. In
addition, you can raise mechanical, electrical, and plumbing
without elevating an entire building to reduce the risk of flood
damage. This is the most effective way to protect buildings against
flood events.
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• Landscaping design and grading can help retain water onsite.
Increasing the amount of pervious area on your property by
removing unnecessary pavement can increase the amount of
water that can be captured naturally. Also, selecting native, salt
tolerant vegetation is recommended. See this Florida Friendly Plants
Guide: http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_v090110.pdf
6. How can I tie my storm water infrastructure into the City's drainage efforts?
• Currently this is not an option for private property owners but we are
exploring options to provide our residents with additional water
management options in the future.
7. How can I pay for flood risk reduction retrofits?
• The public infrastructure upgrades are a commitment to investing in the
City of Miami Beach to reduce flood risk. This is a significant advantage to
you, as homeowner, in protecting your property values and reducing risk.
The City does not pay for renovations or retrofits on private property.
Similar to hurricane retrofitting, it is your responsibility as a property owner
to invest as you see fit. Like most coastal cities, Miami Beach's older
housing stock built with a lower finished flood elevation will be in transition
for years to come.
8. How urgent is it for me to retrofit my property to reduce flood risk?
• There is not an easy, short answer for this. Similar to any other home
renovations or retrofits, that is a personal decision. However, knowing your
home's elevation, and past history of any flooding issues will help you
make that determination. We want you to make an informed decision
about your property. To obtain your unique elevation information, you
can obtain an elevation certificate; more details on this are located in
question 10.
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9. What about sea level rise?
• Sea level rise is not immediate. We know there are global and local
projections that the sea level is rising, however, the City is preparing for this
through elevating roads and implementing storm water pumps, and requiring
higher elevation for new or significant construction. Any personal property
improvements to reduce flood risk will also reduce risk in the future as sea
levels rise over time. More information on the Unified Sea Level Rise Projection
can be found at: http://www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/
10. How can I obtain technical assistance from City staff?
• Public Works staff can provide you information on the City utilities
improvements, road improvements and how these improvements will
connect with your personal property, such as driveway harmonization.
Please contact Public Works at 305.673.7080 for further information.
• Building Department and Floodplain Management staff can provide you
information on flood zone determination, the Florida Building Code and flood
damage prevention regulations and requirements, and the 50% rule.
Elevation certificates for buildings that were built after 1995 and FEMA
retrofitting technique guides are available. Please contact the Building
Department at 305.673.7610 ext. 6770 or 6165)
• If you would like to understand your property's specific elevation, obtain a
copy of your elevation certificate of your property from a professional
surveyor. A copy of Elevation Certificate for buildings that were built after
1995 may be available at the Building Department. Providing your Elevation
Certificate to your flood insurance agent may reduce your flood insurance
premium.
• The City also recommends you consult with a professional architect or
engineer for detailed professional recommendations to protect your property
from water damage. You can also consult with a Florida licensed contractor
to provide specific retrofitting options and cost estimates for your property.
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Helpful websites and links:
• City of Miami Beach Capital Improvement Projects Update Information:
http://mbplannedprogress.com/projects/neighborhood-improvements
• City of Miami Beach Flood Awareness:
http://www.miamibeachfl.gov/building/kiosk7/scroll.aspx?id=38768
• Miami-Dade County Flood Zones Determination:
https://gisweb.miamidade.gov/floodzone/
• Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact
http://www.southeastfloridaclimatecompact.org/
• South Florida Water Management District:
www.sfwmd.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency:
www.fema.gov
• National Flood Insurance Program:
www.floodsmart.gov
• Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety:
www.disastersafety.org
• Ready:
www.ready.gov
• Association of State of Floodplain Managers:
www.floods.org
• Florida Friendly Plants Guide:
http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/FYN_Plant_Selection_Guide_v090110.pdf
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