Flood Information

In Pinellas County, flooding and other drainage problems can result after several inches of rain in a short period of time or after several days of continued rain. Hurricanes, tropical storms and other threatening weather can present flood hazards to residents due to high tides, storm surges caused by winds and heavy rainfall.

Flood zones are not the same as evacuation zones. Flood zones are used for assessing a property’s flood risk, which can be caused by heavy rains or tropical storms and hurricanes. Evacuation zones are based on a property’s vulnerability to storm surge from a hurricane. Everyone lives in a flood zone, which may be high, moderate or low risk.

• Find your flood zone.
• Find your evacuation zone.

Know Before You Buy

If you are looking at buying a property, it’s a good idea to check out the possible flood hazards before you buy. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) helps provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves if additional coverage is required. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Unincorporated Pinellas County participates in the NFIP. To find out how much flooding could cost you, estimate your premium and learn more about the NFIP, visit www.FloodSmart.gov.

• Learn about flood insurance discounts in effect for unincorporated Pinellas County.
• View infographic illustrating flood insurance discounts by the numbers.

Local Flood Information

• Build Smart – Protect your property from flooding. Find out what permits are required, learn how to build responsibly and protect your home.
• Community Rating System – This program provides communities with discounts on flood insurance premiums when participating communities establish flood management programs and activities.
• Elevation Certificate – Prepared by licensed surveyors as part of the building permit and flooding insurance processes.
• Flood Insurance – Understand flood insurance. Find out if you should get flood insurance or are required to.
• Floodplain Protection – Learn about Pinellas County Floodplain Management Program, which takes corrective and preventative measures to reduce flood damage. This includes requirements for zoning, subdivision or building and special-purpose floodplain ordinances.
• Flood Maps & Zones – Find out your flood risks. The Pinellas County Flood Map Service Center has interactive maps with flood risk information, including FEMA flood zones, hurricane evacuation zones, storm surge and more.
  • Flood Map Service – View all maps.
• Nonconversion Acknowledgment Policy & Procedure – An informative letter in regards to the Nonconversion Acknowledgment For Structures In the Floodplain Policy.
• Program for Public Information – A planning tool that provides a step-by-step coordinated approach to outreach and messaging about flood hazards, flood safety, flood insurance and floodplain management.
• Flood Safety – Stay connected and find out what warnings to expect and how to prepare.
• Flood Information FAQs – Frequently asked questions about flood insurance, flood zones, storm surge, flood prevention and more.

Additional Resources

• American Red Cross / Disaster Relief – Learn how to keep your family safe during a flood, and how to clean up a flooded home.
  • Cruz Roja Americana
• Flood Information Guide
• Flood Mitigation
• FloodSmart.gov
• New Residents & Businesses
• Realtors: Know the Flood Risk – En Español

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