Questions & Answers 

• What Action does the District Take when a major storm is approaching?
  ANSWER: When a storm threatens, the District's mission of flood control protection becomes the number one priority. Throughout the year the District conducts an active maintenance program on its flood control system. In advance of a storm's arrival, the District may begin a gradual drawdown of its canals. This will provide additional storage capacity in the canal system for flood water.
  
  
• Will these drawdowns prevent localized flooding?
  ANSWER: It depends on how much rainfall occurs. While the intent of the drawdown is to provide adequate storage for stormwater runoff, even such preventive action can't always overcome Mother Nature's whims. In addition, secondary canal systems (those not operated by the District) often become overwhelmed by too much rain or debris clogging the system which can impede water flow.
  
  
• If flooding occurs, who should the public/media call?
  ANSWER: In most cases localized flooding is the responsibility of the local county/municipality, secondary drainage districts, and/or neighborhood property-homeowner associations. While they should always be your first contacts, the District works with and assists them whenever possible.
  
  
• Can anything hamper the District's ability to effectively operate the flood control system?
  ANSWER: Yes. Debris and fallen trees along the canals can easily collect around water control structures making them inoperable or only partially functional. That's why the District schedules regular canal clearing maintenance in preparation for hurricanes or other storm events. It is also important for residents along the canals to remove any debris that could be blown into the water.
  
  
• May boat owners seek safe harbor in District canals?
  ANSWER: No. To do so threatens the District's ability to move water through the canal system and it does not ensure protection for boats from potential damage.
  
  
• Who decides if water is safe to drink?
  ANSWER: The District does not issue boil water orders or health notices regarding drinking water supplies. Any health notices or warnings about drinking water will come from local authorities or water utility companies.
  
  
• Once a hurricane or major storm event passes, what does the District do?
  ANSWER: The District will immediately assess the integrity of its water control structures. In the case of Hurricane Andrew, canal clearing was of major urgency because of the impacts from fallen trees. Had Hurricane Andrew dumped more rainfall on south Florida many areas would have experienced severe flooding because of canal debris and the inability to move water. The District will continue to discharge water until flooding impacts subside.
  
  
• What role does the District play in the state's emergency preparedness plan?
  ANSWER: As a governmental agency, the District may play a vital role in helping out no matter where in the state an emergency exists. The District has a full time emergency manager charged with seeing that the District is prepared for any emergency - not just those related to weather. When the state's Emergency Operations Center is activated, and the emergency exists outside the District boundaries, our emergency manager may be deployed to Tallahassee as the emergency liaison for the state's five water management districts. When a storm emergency exists within District boundaries, our emergency manager activates and oversees the District's Emergency Operations Center. In addition, staff personnel will be assigned to the various county emergency operation centers within the District's boundaries to represent the District and serve as liaison for requests for information and emergency assistance.
  
  
• What can residents do to help mitigate flooding on their property?
  ANSWER: The District offers an informative brochure entitled "Know The Flow" that explains how the flood control system in south Florida works and the proper maintenance of on-site water management systems. A free copy of the brochure is available by calling the District at (561) 686-8800 or 1-800-432-2045 and ask for the Department of Public Information.
  
  
• What is the District's main URL?
  ANSWER: The District has a home page at www.sfwmd.gov. When a hurricane or major storm event occurs you will find news releases and bulletins pertaining to District preparation and response activities posted on the Internet.
  
  
• What does the District do to prevent Wildfires on District property?
  ANSWER: The District realizes that periodic fire is a natural element of native Florida ecosystems and its continued influence is essential in many native landscapes now managed by man. The District believes in the use of prescribed burning as an important tool of land management to maintain and to encourage the restoration of native plant communities, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce the buildup of hazardous fuel loads.

  The District evaluates each of its properties and plans the timing and frequency of prescribed fire according to several parameters, including vegetative community type, fuel loads, size, and surrounding land use. Utmost attention is given to the safe and responsible application of fire, including prescribed burn certification of crew members, experience requirements of burn bosses, on-site availability of adequate fire suppression equipment, coordination with local Division of Forestry personnel, and notification of potentially affected off-site landowners.

  As much as possible, the District maintains a fire return interval of its lands in accordance to historic natural occurrence. Most District properties require the use of prescribed burning within a frequency of 5 years. Notable exceptions are scrub communities and floodplain swamps (cypress and hardwood). Community types and recommended burn frequencies are:

  Community	Frequency (yrs.)
  Flatwoods	1-10
  Wet prairie/pasture	2-4
  Dry prairie	1-4
  Depression marsh	1-10
  Floodplain marsh/pasture	1-10
  Scrub	10-70
  Floodplain swamp	30-200
  Hydric hammock	rare
  Bottomland forest	infrequent to rare

  If a wildfire is detected on District property, on-site staff will suppress the fire if it is small enough and sufficient manpower and equipment are available. As soon as possible the Division of Forestry will be notified. If the fire is beyond the immediate capability of the District, the Division of Forestry will be called for assistance. The District will remain to provide fire suppression assistance as is needed or requested.

  For more information regarding Prescribed Burning or Wildfires click here:
  Are you FireWise?
  Learn how to make your Home FireWise
  

• What does the District do regarding Homeland Security?
  ANSWER: The District is an active participant in the Governor's Regional Domestic Security Task Force and works closely with local, state and federal partners regarding homeland security prevention, preparedness and responce issues.

  More information regarding Homeland Security.
  Domestic Security in Florida
  MyFlorida.Com
  US Department of Homeland Security
  Terrorism Preparedness
  

• What type of Water Shortage and Water Conservation information can the District provide to the public?
  ANSWER: Click here for information.