Flood and drought, like hurricanes and wildfires, have always been a part of subtropical Florida. Planning, monitoring and management can lessen the impact of these natural extremes.
Hurricanes and drought in the early to middle twentieth century, combined with efforts to populate this "new frontier" led the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation creating the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project (C&SF) in 1948. That project was intended to open the region for development, and protect residents from the region's damaging extremes.
In 1949, the Florida Legislature created the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, the predecessor to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). By 1972, with the Florida Water Resources Act (Chapter 373), the state expanded the responsibilities of water management districts to include regional water resource management and environmental protection as well as flood control and water supply.
There are five districts in the state, with boundaries determined by watersheds and other natural, hydrologic and geographic features. Each works with the state to manage and protect water resources in times of crisis or emergency, as well as to manage and protect those same resources for the short and long term.
While the SFWMD works to minimize flooding, and collects data about regional and local flooding, it is not involved in establishing the criteria for flood insurance. These are established by the federal government. Your county government has maps and can help you determine if you live in a flood zone and require flood insurance.
Other Emergency Links
FEMA for Kids - Children can learn about, and find out how to prepare for floods, hurricanes and other emergencies.
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