Introduction
Mobile, Alabama has one of the highest volumes of rain in the U.S. and that makes our city high risk for flooding. The subtropical climate and the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico bring Mobilians regular thunderstorms, tropical depressions, and even hurricanes. The routine flooding is a common “stressor”, but when it is compounded by storms, rains can flood some streets or bring on an acute flooding “shock” that can threaten the safety and property of local community members. Mobilians need to be aware of the risk and know what to do in event of a flood.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The National Flood Insurance Program was created by Congress to provide property owners with flood insurance as an alternative to disaster assistance. The NFIP is managed by the Federal Management Administration (FEMA), and offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the program. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. The three tenets of the NFIP are:
- Mapping
- Insurance
- Regulation
MAPPING
Knowing the nature of Mobile and its climate, it is important to understand the flooding risks for a home or business. Some areas of Mobile are highly susceptible to flooding, while others may not be as prone. These varying flooding risks also mean that areas have differing FEMA required risk reduction standards. Use the FEMA flood map for the City of Mobile to locate a property and its flood designation. For detailed instructions on reading a Flood Insurance Rate Map, go to the FEMA Map Service Center website.
City of Mobile Flood Mapping
Insurance
Flood insurance policies are available for owners and renters and are obtained through local property insurance agents. A flood insurance policy may also be obtained from private insurance companies through the “Write Your Own” (WYO) Program or through a “direct” policy from FEMA (NFIP Direct Servicing Agent).
Here is a link to the locate flood insurance providers: FloodSmart | Flood Insurance Provider View
Risk Factor is a tool for people to enter their address or the address of a property they are considering purchasing to determine past, present, and future risk projections for flooding, fires, and heat.
If you have a question about flood insurance, contact your insurance agent, the NFIP Direct Servicing Agent, or the FEMA website at www.floodsmart.gov to learn more.
Regulations
How and where you build must follow city, state, and federal statutes. An important regulation for Flood Insurance, is the building’s elevation. To verify that a building has been built to the required regulatory elevation, the City of Mobile enforces FEMA’s regulations and requires the completion of an "Elevation Certificate" by a Professional Engineer, Architect, or Professional Licensed Surveyor. FEMA regulations, which the City enforces, require Elevation Certificates at multiple stages of construction. The Elevation Certificates are part of the permit record, and the final Elevation Certificate must be approved before the building may be occupied.
For more information about City Codes and Ordinances, please contact Build Mobile.
Storm preparedness resources
In addition to flood insurance, there are several things you can do to prevent losses in your home or business and ensure safety of family and employees. It is critical to make a flood plan before the disaster occurs.
Please see these resources that are helpful in developing a plan in case of natural disasters:
The State of Alabama Emergency Operations Plan is a good resource for developing your family's plan.
Flooding Q&A
How do I assemble a Disaster Survival Kit?
Disaster Survival Kits are also important when it comes to be being prepared. Basic kits include water, non-perishable canned foods, batteries, flashlights, and first aid kit. For more a more in-depth kit, please click the link here.
What do I tell my children?
Children may be frightened and unsure of what to do during a storm. To keep them calm and feeling safe, you can explain the situation using age-appropriate language. Making sure they know the emergency natural disaster plan and practicing the plan will help children feel most prepared and calm during a real disaster. For more information on how to talk to children abpit a natural disaster, please visit AEMA Kids.
What do I do if I'm driving during a flood?
Driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous, and most fatalities from flooding occur when people are trapped in their vehicle. Be aware of potential hazards on the road.
For more tips on driving and flood waters, please see NOAA’s Flooding Safety Card (PDF).
What do I do after a flood?
Here are a few useful tips:
1. Use extreme caution when returning home. https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/returning-home-after-flood
- If you evacuated, return to your home only after local authorities have said it is safe to do so.
- Avoid driving through flooded areas and standing water. As little as six inches of water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Upon entering the building, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or any other open flames, since gas may be trapped inside. Instead, use a flashlight to light your way.
- Be aware of the risk of electrocution in your home. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so.
2. Contact your utility companies.
3. Practice water safety.
- Do not drink flood water, or use it to wash dishes, brush teeth, or wash/prepare food. Drink clean, safe water.
- Listen for boil water advisories. Local authorities will let you know if your water is safe for drinking and bathing.
- During a water advisory, use only bottled, boiled, or treated water for drinking, cooking, etc.
- When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food and bottled water that comes/may have come into contact with floodwater.
4. Call your insurance agent to start a claim.
5. Safely clean your home.
- See Practice safe cleaning.
- Remove and throw out drywall and insulation that was contaminated with floodwater or sewage. Throw out items that cannot be washed and cleaned with a bleach solution such as mattresses, pillows, carpeting, carpet padding, and stuffed toys.
- Save samples or swatches of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, window treatments and other items where the type and quality of material may impact the amount payable on your insurance claims.
- Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris.
- People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
- You may need a permit before starting repairs on your home, so we urge you to contact Build Mobile for more information.
What other dangers should I be aware of?
- Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house.
- Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Use generators or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors at least 20 feet from any doors, windows, or vents. If you use a pressure washer, be sure to keep the engine outdoors and 20 feet from windows, doors, or vents as well. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house even with the garage door open.
- The initial damage caused by a flood is not the only risk. Standing floodwater can also spread infectious diseases, bring chemical hazards, and cause injuries.
Flood Facts
- 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
- 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger vehicles – causing loss of control and possible stalling.
- 18 inches of water will float most cars… 2 feet can float SUVs and trucks.
- Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters outside of fire.
- 90% of all presidential-declared U.S. natural disasters involve flooding.
- There is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage (more than 6 times the likelihood of a fire).
- 1 inch of water in a $150,000 residential home can cause more than $54,000 in damages.
- Flood damage is virtually never covered by standard homeowner’s insurance.
- Flood insurance purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is relatively inexpensive (the average premium for $100,000 coverage is a little over $300 per year at this writing).
- Names of bodies of water that may affect Mobile:
- Dog River
- Three Mile Creek
- Bayou Sara
- Eight Mile Creek
- Halls Mill Creek
- Chickasaw Creek
- Miller’s Creek
- Mobile Bay
- Mobile River
- Muddy Creek
- Pierce Creek
Glossary
- Community Number: A 6-digit designation identifying each NFIP community. The first two (2) numbers are the state code. The next four (4) are the FEMA-assigned community number. An alphabetical suffix is added to a community number to identify revisions in the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for that community. The City of Mobile’s Community Number is 015007.
- Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): An official map of the City, on which the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has delineated both the areas of Special Flood Hazard Areas and/or risk premium zones applicable to the City of Mobile.
- Floodplain: Any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwaters from any source.
- Freeboard: An additional amount of height above the Base Flood Elevation used as a factor of safety (e.g., 2 feet above the Base Flood) in determining the level at which a structure’s lowest floor must be elevated or floodproofed to be in accordance with state or community floodplain management regulations. The City of Mobile does not currently have an added Freeboard.
- Panel Number: Panel number is a numerical designation used to identify the FIRM Map associated with a given area. The first six digits of the Panel number is the community number. The first four (4) digits represent the map panel, and the letter suffix represents the number of times the map panel has been revised.
- Panel Date: This is the date recorded in the FEMA FMSIS database, which is associated with the given Panel Number.
- Repetitive Loss Property: Means flood-related damages sustained by a structure on two (2) separate occasions during a ten-year period for which the cost of repairs at the time of each such flood event, on the average, equals or exceeds twenty-five (25) percent of the market value of the structure before the damages occurred.
Contact Information
IMPORTANT LINKS
