Flood Prevention: Protect Your Property

There are things you can do to minimize or eliminate property damage before a flood event occurs. Grading your property, elevating and securing electrical appliances, placing all low-lying electrical fixtures on separate electrical circuits, and using flood-resistant materials on exterior surfaces are some ways you can help yourself.

Under emergency conditions, sandbags can be used to shore structures, and elevating or covering furniture and valuables can help minimize damage.

To reduce street flooding, Miami-Dade's Stormwater Utility is in the process of identifying, prioritizing and implementing local drainage projects throughout unincorporated Miami-Dade County.

• Please call 305-372-6688 to report any unusual flooding in your area. Municipal residents should contact your city or village to report flooding.

Miami-Dade County requires the issuance of all appropriate building permits prior to any construction in the County.

For your convenience, we are providing the following information and web links that will help you take the right steps and expedite your construction project.

• Obtain information on how to select a contractor to repair your home after a flood or other natural disaster.
• The use of an unlicensed contractor often leads to unsafe and hazardous construction and additional cost to the consumer. In order to help you find information about licensed professionals, such as engineers, architects and businesses, visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
• Obtain a list of contractors or check the status of a contractor that has been licensed for work on buildings in Miami-Dade County.
• Search to find out if complaints have been filed against any contractor working in Miami-Dade County.
• Obtain a list of awarded County contractors and active contracts.

Permits are obtained after submittal and approval of building plans. An important part of this review process is the requirement that structures be built high enough and use proper design techniques to protect against flood damage.

• If you plan to construct an addition to your house, to build a new house, to fill a property or for any development, call Miami-Dade County at 786-315-2000, for information on how to obtain the necessary permits.
• If you see construction occurring without the proper permits, please call 3-1-1 to report these activities. Remember, buildings constructed improperly can be dangerous to the whole neighborhood!

Did you know that it is illegal to throw anything - anything at all! - into the rivers, canals, lakes, bay, the ocean or other waters of Miami-Dade County?

Do you know that nothing but rainwater is allowed to drain into the storm drains located in streets, curbs, and right-of-ways?

Help us keep the waters and streets of Miami-Dade County clean!

• If you witness dumping of any liquid or materials into storm drains or waters of the County, please call the Miami-Dade County 24-hour Environmental Emergency Hotline at 305-372-6955, or CrimeStoppers at 305-471-TIPS, to report these activities.