Flood Prevention

Many Fort Lauderdale residents live in or near a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), which is a zone where flooding may occur in the event of heavy rainfall, a hurricane or other natural disaster. Implementing the maintenance tips below will help improve potential neighborhood flooding.

1. Maintain your swale.  Keep swales on your property "open" and free of piles of clippings, leaves, limbs and other garden debris so that nothing obstructs the flow of stormwater drainage.

2. Do not misuse your swale. Avoid parking vehicles in the swale because it compacts the soil and allows less stormwater runoff to soak into the ground.

3. Let stormwater pond. When water ponds in the swale for 24 to 36 hours, the swale is doing its job and will eventually convey water to an inlet or allow it to percolate into the soil. Advise local officials about flooding only if water ponds so long that swale vegetation begins to die.

4. Perform regular clean-outs of catch basins on your property to remove built-up sediment and other potential contaminants from your system that will impede drainage and affect water quality. 

5. Make sure your property's infrastructure is maintained and that stormwater management rules and regulations are being followed throughout the neighborhood and community.

6. Keep an eye on neighborhood storm drains. Make sure that all debris such as leaves, yard clippings, street trash and animal waste is removed from storm drain openings and does not get into stormwater. You may also report clogged storm drains by calling the 24-hour Customer Service Center at 954-828-8000.

7. Sweep the debris off the storm drain. Do not use a hose, as it will only wash more pollutants into storm drain systems.

8. Never pour household chemicals, pesticides, oil, auto care products or paint into drainage systems. Remember, what is washed down these drains could wind up in your water supply.
 
9. When landscaping your property, remember that you should never change the grading of slopes that drain into canals, waterways or lakes. The grading is based on state and local minimum requirements and was designed by a State of Florida Registered Professional Engineer to meet water quantity and quality criteria.

10. Report clogged storm drains or catch basins by calling 954-828-8000.