Outside HVAC unit raised above ground

Flood Protection Tips for Associations

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The increased severity of tropical storm events and shifting rainfall patterns pose many challenges. Whenever the volume of water on land overcomes the capacity of natural and built drainage systems to carry it away, flooding can result. But steps can be taken to mitigate some of the damage caused by flooding.

The following is not an all-inclusive list but a kick start for your community to begin planning and budgeting for future mitigation projects.

  • Drainage Systems – Aging and overloaded stormwater systems can be updated to allow water to be moved, stored, and drained more efficiently.
  • Gutters – Removing leaves and other debris from clogged gutters and downspouts can prevent water from pooling around a building’s foundation. Be sure to locate the down spout in the proper direction. A down spout should never directly discharge into a canal or other water body but instead be directed to grassed or rocked areas that will allow the stormwater to slowly seep into the ground.
  • Building Exteriors – A form of “dry flood-proofing,” the application of painted coatings and sealants that you apply to your foundation, walls, windows and doorways will help prevent flood water from leaking into your structure through cracks or penetrations where utilities may come through.
  • Re-grading Property– Adjusting the slope (grade) around a building’s foundation can help stormwater flow more easily away from the building and toward drainage systems like street drains or swale areas. Re-grading may be especially effective for older communities where the grade may have settled over time or been modified by landscaping.
  • Raising Building Systems – HVAC systems and electric panels raised or relocated to above flood levels can prevent future damage to expensive systems.
  • Permeable Pavement – Permeable pavement is a type of paving material that is highly pervious and allows rainwater to pass through it, which reduces runoff. By reducing runoff, permeable pavement manages stormwater and decreases flood risk.
  • Rain Gardens -This type of green infrastructure is designed and built to mitigate stormwater flooding. A rain garden is a garden in a depressed area of a landscape that is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rainwater while providing a pleasing look to the landscape.

The Lake Worth Drainage District is committed to assisting communities within our boundary to be more informed and more resilient to potential flooding. Please visit our website for more information at www.lwdd.net.

Flooded kitchen

Your Flood Probability

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Within the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) boundary, some homes and businesses are constructed in areas known as the 1 in 100-year flood plain but have experienced multiple floods in the same year. The assumption that if their area has experienced a 1 in 100-year flood, then for the next 99 years they do not have to worry about flooding is not correct. While it is unlikely that two large storms will happen in close succession, history has demonstrated that it is possible.

Confused by the term 1 in 100-year flood, people begin to wonder what their flood risk really is. The definition of a 1 in 100-year flood is a flood that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year. Understanding your flood risk can be a complex process, but the hydrologists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are striving to communicate risk more effectively, in part by transitioning away from the term 1 in 100-year flood and instead referencing multiple year flooding probabilities. For example, the flooding risk of a home in the 1 in 100-year floodplain can be more easily understood as a home with a 26% chance it will flood over the course of a 30-year mortgage. Providing a clearer understanding of the probability of flood risk allows for better protection of people and buildings.

The USGS has published a flyer discussing in detail the probability of flood risk. You can download a copy at https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/106/pdf/100-year-flood-handout-042610.pdf

Woman in hard hat

Automation For Faster Response

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South Florida’s tropical weather events can be intense and seriously threaten property and life. In response, the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) monitors canal elevations and makes necessary operational adjustments to its water control structures to provide flood control for the 200 square miles of land within its boundary.

Water control structures act like dams, allowing stormwater to be released or held back depending on weather conditions. The technology used to operate LWDD’s water control structures is called Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA). As the water rises in the canal and reaches a pre-determined elevation, SCADA will slowly open control structures releasing water for flood control. Similarly, as water elevations return to normal levels the control structure gates will close, holding back water for conservation and water supply demands.

This response to changes in the canal system happens automatically and can be monitored remotely by staff using mobile devices. However, in anticipation of severe weather, staff can override the automated SCADA system and make manual adjustments as needed. The remote monitoring and operating functions of SCADA eliminates the need for LWDD staff to venture out during dangerous weather conditions to operate control structures, as well as significantly reduces response time.

Another advantage to SCADA is the capture of operational data by the system which can be used to evaluate future water supply needs and historical flood control responses. This data can be shared with regional water management partners for enhanced flood control coordination and water conservation measures.

LWDD is proud to provide the residents and businesses within our boundary this advanced flood control technology.

1 tree toppled over from high winds blocking the right of way access to canal

Adjacent To A Canal – Time To Take Action

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Many people in southeastern Palm Beach County live adjacent to a Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) canal. To enhance their backyard, residents look to install landscape materials or structures such as swing-sets and fences. Often without realizing it, these enhancements are installed on LWDD’s rights-of-way which is publicly managed land used for flood control operations.

Effective flood control depends on LWDD’s extensive network of canals to move stormwater away from homes after major weather events. This is especially true during hurricane season. Vegetation and other structures on the canal rights-of-way can severely hinder LWDD’s ability to keep residents safe during and after severe storms. Trees and large shrubs can topple over in high winds blocking emergency access along the canal bank or fall into the canal channel blocking the flow of water. A blocked canal channel not only endangers the residents adjacent to the canal but also individuals living miles inland.

Maintaining water flow within the canal channel and access along the right-of-way is vital for public safety. It requires daily maintenance by LWDD crews as well as the removal of identified encroachments. LWDD encourages adjacent property owners to act before storm season – June 1. Clear vegetation and remove unauthorized encroachments from the canal right-of-way. Additionally, residents should evaluate landscaping and structures on their private property that may pose a potential flooding threat.

If you live adjacent to a canal and need help identifying the property boundary, contact LWDD’s staff at info@lwdd.net and help us help you to become storm ready.

C. Stanley Weaver Canal sign at Weaver canal

That’s A Good Question

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Why doesn’t the Lake Worth Drainage District (LWDD) keep the canal water elevations lower in preparation for the storm season? Seems like a good idea, but the LWDD network of canals does more than provide drainage for flood control. LWDD’s water management system helps to protect regional water supplies for all the residents, businesses and agricultural land within its boundary.

During normal operations, canal water levels are maintained to hold water higher than sea level to prevent saltwater from encroaching and polluting existing freshwater wells for numerous municipal water utilities. Once polluted with saltwater the well can no longer be used for drinking water supplies and alternative sources will be needed.

LWDD’s water managers are continually monitoring weather systems and canal levels to proactively respond to heavy rainfall events. In anticipation of a heavy rainfall event, the LWDD water control structures are opened to maintain appropriate water levels in the system for flood control. However, this operation must consider the potential environmental risks. As control structure gates are opened, water is discharged to the ocean and cannot be recovered for water supply. These freshwater discharges may also adversely impact environmentally sensitive areas such as the Lake Worth Lagoon.

For these reasons, drainage is often referred to as a balancing act between flood control protection and supply needs. LWDD has over 100 years of experience in the operation of stormwater management within our boundary. To learn more about LWDD’s water management function, visit our website at www.lwdd.net.