Holmes Beach can experience heavy rainfall especially during hurricane season (June - Nov)  and the chances for flooding greatly increase. When there is heavy rainfall in a short period of time along with a high tide, saltwater backs up into the storm sewers and canal outfall pipes causing flooding.

Holmes Beach has experienced several hurricanes and tropical storms in the past ten years.  Most notably in 2004 when Frances, Ivan & Jeanne caused high winds flooding and beach erosion but only minor damage to buildings.  We have been fortunate in the past avoiding a direct hit but it is prudent to be prepared for any severe weather.

The following information will help homeowners prevent damage to their property and prepare them for the next severe weather occurrence whether it is heavy rainfall, high winds or hurricanes.

local flood hazard:  Holmes Beach can experience heavy rainfall especially during hurricane season (June 1- Nov.1) when the chances for flooding greatly increase. In a situation where there is heavy rainfall in a short period of time along with a high tide, saltwater backs up into the storm sewers and canal outfall pipes  causing flooding. Being on a barrier island there is nowhere for the influx of water to go so it temporarily floods the streets and yards.

Flood maps, flood protection and retrofitting information is available at the Building Department, 5801 Marina Drive or at the Island Branch of Manatee County Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, FL 34217.

The Building Department can provide you with information regarding Repetitive Loss Properties as well as FEMA Grants which are available for qualifying property owners.  Contact the building department for more information at 941-708-5833.

The City provides Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information to those who need flood hazard information.  We also have many elevation certificates and surveys for new and substantially improved houses.  (See the "Forms" link)

Flood Safety:  WHEN AN EVACUATION ORDER IS ISSUED, PREPARE TO LEAVE!

• Leaving the island is smarter than taking a chance with your life, even if a hurricane doesn’t actually come ashore. Flooding can happen quickly, so prepare to leave while you are able.

• Last minute emergency measures: Move valuable items (photos, antiques, items most damaged by floodwaters) to a higher level.  Place sandbags in front of doorways and other entry points.

·         Turn off Electricity, Water and Gas:  Remember some appliances such as television sets keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged so be careful.

·         Do not walk through flowing water: Currents can be deceptive- 6 inches of rapidly moving water can knock you off your feet, if you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that firm ground is still there. Flooding leaves trash including broken glass, nails and mud.

·         Do not drive through a flooded area: Road barriers are there for a reason!  Do not drive around them; the road may be washed out, or the water may be deep enough to float your vehicle off the road. 

·         Stay away from power lines and electrical wires: The number two-flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to Florida Power & Light at 941-917-0708.

·         Look out for small animals:  Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare them away. Look out for snakes.

Flood Insurance:  Remember there is a 30-day waiting period before it goes into effect!

• Federally backed mortgages (FHA, VA, etc) must carry flood insurance but even properties without a mortgage should still have flood insurance. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including local drainage problems.
• Holmes Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program so residents of Holmes Beach are eligible to receive an I5% discount on their flood insurance premiums, regardless of whether their property has flooded in the past.
• Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. For additional information on what insurance policies are available to you talk to your insurance agent.  For Flood Insurance information call 1-888-CALL-FLOOD ext 304. You can also visit FEMA’s website at www.floodalert.fema.gov.
• During the kind of flooding that happens in Holmes Beach, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. If you are covered, check out the amount and extent of coverage to make sure you have enough.
• Even if property owners do not have structural insurance coverage, tenants can buy content insurance coverage. Check with your insurance provider to see if they offer it.
• Hose off your vehicle soon after driving through any floodwaters.  Insurance Agents report high claims for vehicle repairs within three months after a storm due to saltwater damage. 

property protection measures:  There are several different ways to protect your property:

• Re-Grade your Lot:   Keep the water away from your home by building a small floodwall or earthen berm.  This method works if your lot is large enough and flooding is not too deep.  This work may require a permit so check with the Building Department first, 941-708-5833.

• Retrofit Your Home:   Make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways.  This method is called “Dry Flood proofing” and works if the water doesn’t get over two feet deep.

•  There are Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publications, which detail many ways of flood proofing, retrofitting or repairing your home or business.  You can find this information at the Building Department, 5801 Marina Drive or at the Island Library, 5700 Marina Drive.

• For retrofitting or property protection advice:  Someone from the building department will meet you on site to discuss appropriate actions for you to take.  For an appointment call 941-708-5833.

• Protect Window & Door Openings:    It is advisable to have wind protection such as storm panels or at least plywood for windows and reinforcement for your garage door.

• Problems with Sewer Backup:   A waste line check valve can stop this if the water does not get more than one or two feet deep. The valve can be purchased at a hardware store and is relatively inexpensive.  For instances of more severe flooding talk to a plumber about overhead sewers or a backup valve.

• Sandbags are available at City Hall:    Residents can fill them using the manual sandbagger at the sand pile by the Public Works Department.  There are also shovels at the sand pile. Place sandbags along doors or other openings to prevent water from going into the structure.

nATURAL & BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS:  Grassy Point is a 34-acre nature preserve located between East Bay Drive and Sarasota Pass. It is the largest preserve on Anna Maria Island. The land is being restored to its natural state by removing exotic vegetation and re-vegetating with native plants to help increase the water quality and wildlife habitat. This area also provides a temporary natural storage area for floodwaters, helping to alleviate  flooding. 

Holmes Beach being located on a barrier island does not have much area for storm water to filter into the ground. Grassy Point as well as other open areas and newly created “pocket parks” fill this need.  Our Public Works Department has been working on maintaining stormwater structures and the City has regularly budgeted for Stormwater improvement projects.

Flood/HURRICANE Warning system:  The City of Holmes Beach has an Emergency Management Plan and monitors severe weather warnings from the National Weather Service and Manatee County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as well as the Island Emergency Operations Center. (IEOC).  

·         Residents should tune to TV and/or radio weather broadcasts and be alert to special local advisories.  Some local stations that will carry advisories for our area are: 

     Radio Stations:   WJIS-FM  88.1  WYNF-FM 105.9  WMTX-FM 100.7  

                                WFLA-AM 970   WBRD-AM 1420  WWPR-AM 1490  

TV stations:    WTVT 13  WTSP 10  Bay News 9  WFLA  8   WFTS  7 

     Websites:          www.holmesbeachfl.org,   www.nhc.noaa.gov and www.mymanatee.org               

when mandatory evacuation orders are issued Emergency personnel mayl drive through neighborhoods with megaphones directing people to leave immediately!

·         Residents need to register if there are special evacuation needs, medical problems or you need transportation off the island. Forms for registration can be picked up at City Hall.  For evacuation assistance call 941-749-3500.

·         Residents of Holmes Beach must obtain a hanging tag for re-entry after evacuation. DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE STORM APPROACHES!  The Holmes Beach Police Department issues the tags and you must have two pieces of identification, one with a photo. For more information call 941-708-5804.

FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT REQUIREMENTS:  Always check with the Building Department before you fill, alter or regrade your property.  A permit is required for any alteration because you must retain the first ½ inch of stormwater on your property so it won’t affect neighboring properties. 

·         Do not dump anything:   Dumping in canals, ditches, waterways and other bodies of water is a violation of Holmes Beach City Ordinance. Obstructed conveyances cannot carry stormwater away, which causes flooding in streets and yards.

·         If YOU SEE AN ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION SITE:  without a permit card posted call the Building Department at 941-708-5833 because the work being done may affect your property.

·         If you see someone dumping: anything into stormwater inlets, ditches or other waterways report it to Code Enforcement at 941-708-5800 ext. 231. Please protect our natural waterways!

If your property is a waterfront or next to watercourses, basins and/or surface drainage facilities, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. 

Call the Public Works Department at 941-708-5833 if a storm drain needs immediate attention.

The Substantial Improvement/ damage requirements:  If structures are in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), which all of Holmes Beach is in, and if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition or other improvements on the structure equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building.

Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards and must be elevated above the base flood elevation. Requirements for substantial improvement/damage requirements must meet provisions spelled out in The City’s Floodplain Management Ordinance 08-02.More information on can be found in “Answers to Questions about Substantially Damaged Buildings”  (FEMA 213) is available at the Building Department or at the Island Library.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE: The City’s storm drainage system is composed of open (swales/ditches) and closed segments (inlets/piping) that carry stormwater away from homes and roads.   

Holmes Beach Public Works crews regularly maintain this entire system as part of our permit with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). If you see any unapproved changes to the drainage system, such as filling or rerouting ditches, please contact the Public Works Department at 941-708-5833.

Holmes Beach City Ordinance prohibits littering or dumping anything into waterways so please report incidents to the Code Enforcement Department at 941-708-5800 x 231.