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Stormwater runoff is generated from rain events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, without soaking into the ground. This runoff collects pollutants like trash, chemicals, oils, and dirt/sediment, which can harm our rivers, streams, and lakes. These pollutants lead to changes in hydrology and water quality, causing habitat modification and loss, increased flooding, reduced aquatic biological diversity, and heightened sedimentation and erosion. To safeguard these resources, municipalities, construction sites, and industrial activities implement stormwater controls, known as best management practices (BMPs), to manage their runoff effectively.
Effective stormwater runoff management offers numerous benefits, including:
Protection of wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Improved quality of receiving water bodies.
Conservation of water resources.
Protection of public health and enhanced flood control.
The public can contribute to Stormwater Pollution Prevention by avoiding hazardous practices
and reporting illicit discharges or improper waste disposal.
Illicit Discharge and Improper Water Disposal educational brochure.
Report Environmental Violations.
For additional resources visit the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
To assess a community’s flood risk, FEMA conducts a Flood Insurance Study, which includes statistical data on river flow, storm tides, hydrologic/hydraulic analyses, and rainfall and topographic surveys. FEMA utilizes this data to create flood hazard maps outlining the community’s various flood risk areas. Floodplains and regions susceptible to coastal storm surges are designated as high-risk areas or Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Certain sections of floodplains may experience frequent flooding, while others are only affected by severe storms. However, areas just outside these high-risk zones may also be at significant risk. Changing weather patterns, erosion, and development can alter floodplain boundaries. FEMA is currently updating and modernizing the nation’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps. These digital flood hazard maps provide an official depiction of flood risks for each community and its properties. FEMA has published nearly 100,000 individual Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Review your map and learn how to interpret it to make informed decisions about protecting your property, both financially and structurally.
FEMA Floodplain Map for Florida City, 2009.
Managing Stormwater.
Miami-Dade County Stormwater Utility.
Miami-Dade County Stormwater Management