Flood Information

FLOOD HAZARD & PROPERTY PROTECTION INFORMATION 

Homeowners in the Town of Hypoluxo have been awarded a 10% discount for National Flood Insurance Program policies issued after Oct. 1, 1996.

Flood Hazard:  The town provides Flood Insurance Rate Map determinations. Most properties east of U. S. Highway #1 are within a flood hazard area.  Even if your property is not within the flood hazard area every property is at risk of flooding.   There is a 26% chance of flooding during the life of a 30-year mortgage. Elevation certificates are available for structures built as early as 1995.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently revising the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) map.

Flood Insurance:  Flood insurance is an important and practical part of everyone’s disaster planning.  Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not offer protection against flood damage.  Flood Insurance is available through the NFIP.  Most lending institutions require flood insurance if your property is located in a flood hazard area. There is a thirty day waiting period for flood insurance coverage. Coverage is available for existing structures, buildings under construction, businesses, and contents of insurable, fully enclosed buildings located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA).  For further information call NFIP, 1-800-638-6620, contact your insurance agent, or view FEMA websitehttp://www.fema.gov/business/nfip.  

Flood Safety:  If you require special assistance during  evacuation, register with Palm Beach County Div. of Emergency Management, 712-6484.  Keep trees and shrubs trimmed regularly; photograph and list your possessions; prepare a evacuation plan; make a checklist of pre-emergency activities; and plan for enough food, water and supplies for two weeks survival without electricity.  Do not drive through flooded areas. Prior to evacuation turn off utilities at the main switches.  Boynton Beach High School, 4975 Park Ridge Blvd. is a Red Cross Hurricane Shelter.  Openings are announced on local radio and television stations.  Obtain safety literature from the Hypoluxo Town Hall.

Natural & Beneficial Function of the Floodplain:  Protecting the grassy water preserves and water catchment areas provide many benefits: flood storage and conveyance; reducing flood velocity & erosion; improving water quality by filtering nutrients & impurities from runoff; recharging ground water while simultaneously reducing the frequency & duration of surface flow; providing additional open space, aesthetic pleasures for the community & opportunities for scientific studies; and providing habitats for plant & wildlife growth and breeding.

Flood Warning System: Palm Beach County Emergency Management maintains direct contact with the National Weather Service (NWS). If you have a weather band radio, tune it to NOAA frequency 162.475 MHz. Television channels 5, 12, 25 & 29 and all local radio stations will broadcast hurricane associated flood warnings 36 to 48 hours prior to the actual flooding event and at least 24 hours prior to the time to evacuate. Evacuation for a minor hurricane, category 1-2, includes mobile homes. Evacuation for a major hurricane, category 3-5, includes all properties east of US #1 (Federal Highway).  Upon advance notification by the NWS that a severe weather system, including intense rainfall, is forecast, Palm Beach County alerts all  residents of Hypoluxo by telephone and the Police Department is notified. They keep areas under close surveillance.  If it becomes necessary, they will use loudspeakers to provide residents with additional flood warning and evacuation information. If you are instructed to evacuate, please do so, your life may be in danger. Police services will continue as the conditions allow.

Property Protection:  The following may help minimize damage to a structure.  Store plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber to protect windows and to make quick repairs; stack sandbags away from the house, move furniture, etc. to the upper floors, secure garbage cans, garden equipment, etc. or bring inside.  Property owners may wish to increase the elevation of a structure.  A design manual for retrofitting flood-prone residential structures is available. FEMA resources can now be accessed online at www.pbclibrary.org/grs-mainresources.htm.  

Substantial Improvement Requirements:  The NFIP requires an existing building to meet the same construction standards as a new building if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value.  Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards. Contact the Town Hall for specific information.

Drainage System Maintenance:  The Town inspects the drainage systems for proper maintenance and obstructions.  It is important to protect the functioning of our canals, swales, catch basins and outfalls to prevent flooding.  Residents should report damage, obstructions and illegal dumping violations to the Hypoluxo Building Department, (561) 582-0155.

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements:  All development in the floodplain (not just construction of buildings) require local permits.  Contact the Hypoluxo Building Department (561) 582-0155 before you build, fill, or otherwise develop.  Please  report any illegal floodplain development immediately.

For more flood insurance information, please check out the following links:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3293?id=1671

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/725

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/272

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3289?id=1670

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/2574?id=1577

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/2994?id=1643

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3729?id=1750

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/475

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/1012?id=1448