Flood Protection

Flood safety

Flooding is the nation’s most common natural disaster. Flooding can occur aanywhere in the country. However, all floods are not alike. Some can develop slowly during an extended period of rain, or can gradually rise as a result of the moon like King Tides. Others, such as flash floods, can occur quickly, even without any visible signs of rain. Be prepared for flooding no matter where you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, or live near a body of water. Even a very small canal or lake can overflow and cause flooding.

Protecting Your Property

Flood proofing a house or structure means altering it so flood waters will not cause damage. Permanent measures may include elevating the structure, re-grading the topography, relocating the building out of the floodplain, or installing floodwalls, or structural closures as a barrier against flooding. While these permanent measures may be expensive, you may determine that the benefits outweigh the costs. Other common measures include elevating electrical panel boxes, furnaces, water heaters and washer/dryers to locations less likely to flood.

Contact

For additional assistance on how to protect your property from flooding, you can contact the North Miami Public Works Department at 305-895-9878, or the City’s Building Official at 305-895-9820.

Additional information on how to perform residential retrofitting or commercial flood proofing is available at the North Miami Public Library in the City’s Floodplain Management/Community Rating System reference section, or call the Floodplain Manager at 305-895-9820.

Protecting Our Waterways

Do not pour oil, grease, pesticides or other pollutants down storm drains or into ditches and streams. Our waterways and wetlands help moderate flooding and are habitat for fish, frogs, and other species that provide us with recreation or food. Don’t throw or dump anything into storm sewers or canals within the City. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels and drains. A plugged channel or storm drain cannot carry water when it rains. Clogged storm drains will cause water to back up into the street and may cause flooding. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.

Report Blockages

If your property is next to a canal, help keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The City has a canal maintenance program which can help remove major blockages such as downed trees; please report any blockages to the Public Works Department at 305-895-9878. Let’s protect our environment and “Keep North Miami Beautiful!”