Flood Protection Information | Savannah, GA (2024)

Turn around, don’t drown - your car is not a boat.

*** Report Street Flooding 311, Click on web link: 311 ****

Citizens are advised to report any structural flooding

by using either the City’s on line form or by contacting the City’s Call Center by dialing 311 or after hours to 351-3434.

What to do to protect your property prior, during and after Hurricane Debby:

Visit the City’s and County’s website concerning Hurricane Debby.
City: https://www.savannahga.gov/1935/Hurricane-
Chatham County: Informationhttps://ready.chathamcountyga.gov/

Preparation prior to the Storm:
https://www.cdc.gov/hurricanes/about/index.html

See a map of past flooded areas and information pertaining to the three phases of flooding: Before, During and After
https://www.savannahga.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9191/Outreach-to-the-Community?bidId=

During heavy rain, the City recommends that the following streets be avoided:

• Fairmont-Hanover-Hodgson
• West Victory at Ogeechee
• Goebel Avenue at President
• East Gwinnett at Skidaway
• West Gwinnett at Stiles (City Lot)
• Whitaker at West 33rd
• Abercorn from DeRenne to Victory
• Habersham from DeRenne to Victory
• Paulsen from DeRenne to Victory
• Reynolds from DeRenne to Victory
• Harmon from DeRenne to Victory
• Bay Street, East of Fell/Brittany
• Fell/Baker/Jenks from Bay St. to Augusta Avenue
• Henry from Cedar St. to Waters Avenue
• Atlantic at Maupas Avenue
• President St. from Gen. McIntosh to Pennsylvania Avenue
• North bound ramp onto the Truman Parkway at Eisenhower.
• Paulsen and East Park
• 500 block East 36th St

Alternate routes during heavy rains:

• From Downtown to Midtown: MLK Jr. Boulevard, 37th St., Bull and White Bluff, DeRenne Avenue, Abercorn Extension
• From Downtown to Westside: I-516/Lynes Parkway
• From Downtown to Southside: MLK Jr. Boulevard, I-16, I-516/Lynes Pkwy, Southwest Bypass/Veterans Pkwy, GA 204/Abercorn Extension.
• From Downtown to Islands: Bay St., East Broad, Wheaton, Ash St., Anderson St., Truman Parkway, Victory Dr., U.S. 80 East.

CEMA Hurricane Evacuation, Shelter & Transportation Brochure

• CEMA Pamphlet

Flood Warning System:

In Chatham County, CEMA manages the flood warning system. Once CEMA receives a potential dangerous warning, sirens are activated. The sirens can give as little as fifteen minutes warning time. When you hear the sirens, information can be heard on the television or on the radio at WSVH (91.1) for what to do. Information can be heard on the NOAA weather radio broadcast at frequency 162.40. Local evacuation routes can be found in the phone book. To learn more visit CEMA’s web page: Outdoor Warning Sirens Explained, but come back to learn more about Flood Protection.

River gauge data can be viewed by clicking on the web links:

• Tide at Ft. Pulaski
• The Smart Sea Level Sensors

See additional gauges by visiting the USGA or the National Weather Service websites For more information, contact CEMA at 201-4500 or visit the website at chathamemergency.org.

For FEMA Memorandum and other supporting document click: FEMA New EC and Dry Floodproofing Certs

Jump to list of at risk streets for flooding.

Welcome to the City’s Flood Protection Web Page.

If you have trouble opening web links, try using Google. If the error continues, please send an email here.

I encourage you to review the information on this web page dedicated to flood insurance and flood information. However, if you are in a hurry and need a flood determination within City of Savannah limits contactTom McDonald, (912) 651-6530 X 1895.
Searching for a copy of an existing Elevation Certificate check: Search for Elevation Certificates the City of Savannah has on file listed by street names.

2021 Savannah Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan (FMP) and Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA)

Eliminate Flooding in Savannah!

The final step has been completed. On September 9, 2021 the City Council adopted theFloodplain Management Plan. Over the past year the Floodplain Management Planning Committee of City staff and outside stakeholders have developed the plan to address flooding throughout Savannah. The plan identifies and assesses current flood hazard conditions, including historically flooded areas and the most critical repetitively flooded properties, and develops appropriate mitigation strategies for the City to consider in reducing or eliminating future flood losses. The City of Savannah continues its aggressive floodplain management efforts by evaluating, targeting and applying for Federal grant funds to assist in the implementation of future flood hazard mitigation projects. The plan also serve as a means to help reduce the flood insurance premiums for all those property owners insured through the National Flood Insurance Program.

To view the Savannah’s Flood Mitigation Plan, Repetitive Loss Area Analysis, or Program for Public Information Plans click on:Link to FMP, RLAA, and PPI.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Tom McDonald, Permit and Floodplain Manager, at (912) 651-6530 Extension 1895.

The Smart Sea Level Sensors project is a partnership between Chatham Emergency Management Agency officials, City of Savannah officials, and Georgia Tech scientists and engineers who are working together to install a network of internet-enabled sea level sensors across Chatham County. The real-time data on coastal flooding will be used for emergency planning and response.

To view local sensor’s click on: Sensor Site.
(If the link does not work, try using a different web browser)

To learn more about the program and how it relates to Savannah, watch the video by CEMA: Y'all Ready For THIS? Episode 15: Smart Sea Level Sensors

Tide related topics from NOAA that explain how tides can cause flooding in our area.
High Tide Flooding * Perigean Spring Tide * Storm Surge

Could Projected Sea Level Change Affect Your Property?

It's all about the Science! View different Federal Agencies web sites:

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Yes, NASA is not just an space agency!
NASA Sea Level Change Portal

Planning for Construction in the Bilbo, Casey North, Casey South Placentia, or Springfield Basins?

View local flood studies that could affect your design. Besides FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), designers, contractors, and home owners will need to review the City’s Local Flood Studies to ensure the proposed improvements meet City’s local storm water studies and ordinances. For more information contact Tom Cawthon, tcawthon@Savannahga.gov, (912) 650-7855 or Tom McDonald tmcdonald@SavannahGa.Gov, (912) 651-6530.

To view the Local Studies and Historic/Current FIRMS click on: Local Flood Studies

Report Flooding:

Savannah experienced some storm surge due to Hurricane Michael and Irma. If you were a victim of the flooding or saw areas that flooded, please report your information by contacting the City’s 311 Center by dialing 311 or click on Form Center to complete an online survey. The information you provide helps the City Stormwater Department to better understand areas vulnerable to flooding.

For latest Hurricane information from the City click on: Hurricane Information.

Reconstruction of flooded structures may require a building permit. Contact Tom McDonald at (912) 651-6530 for more details.

Report illegal dumping in the Storm water system

Call 311 to report any dumping of trash or illegal chemical in open ditches, inlets or catch basins. It’s illegal to dump trash, grass clippings, leaves or other materials including chemicals, oil, gasoline or household products into ditches or other drainage systems. People caught dumping can face jail time and/or a fine as outlined the City’s Code 4-11004 and 5-2005. Take a few seconds to view the City's informational video about bad behavior: Only Rain Down The Drain

FEMA NFIP Effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s)Region IV officehasprepared a coastal flood study toupdate Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for communities in coastal Chatham County and City of Savannah. The flood hazards shown on the FIRM are used to determine flood insurance rates and requirements and where floodplain development regulations apply. The updated maps will help communities plan for and reduce the risk from flooding in the future. Start taking steps now to keep your communities and families safe from flood risk by understand the risk of flooding in your area so that you know how future floods may affect you and if specific flood insurance and building requirements apply to your property (or will apply in the future.) To view click on:FIRMs, open the “2018 Effective" folder and select your specific panel to find out your flood risk. If you do not know your panel number, check with your insurance agent, visit SAGIS.org, or contact Tom McDonald at 912-651-6530. Additionally, visit FEMA’s website:FEMA MSCand Georgia’s DNR site:www.georgiadfirm.comfor information about the coastal updates along with fact-sheets and presentations.

What is Your Flood Zone and Are Past Letter of Map Changes Still in Effect? : FEMA has provided the City of Savannah with the FIRM panels with an effect date of August 16, 2018. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) and Letter of Map Amendments (LOMA) previously issued for FIRM panels that were revised by the recent map update for Savannah have either been incorporated into the revised FIRM or have been superseded by the revised FIRM. To see if a LOMC was incorporated into the FIRM, not incorporated but still in effect, or superseded, review the community's Revalidate Letter. Note, some of the older LOMC were completed while the property was under the Unincorporated Chatham County jurisdiction, so if you do not see an LOMC in the City of Savannah's Letter, check in Chatham County Revalidation Letter too.

City Of Savannah:Revalidation Letter
Chatham County:Revalidation Letter

It is important that your flood insurance policy has been in effect 30 days prior to the effective date if your structure’s risk is increasing. Visit SAGIS.org’s"Find My Flood Zone" to view flood determination changes. For detail information for sites within the City of Savannah limits, properties with the tax property identifying number (PIN) beginning with 2- contact Tom McDonald(912) 651-6530 X 1895 to help determine your future determination. For PINs beginning with a "1-" contact Mr. Michael Blakely, (912) 652-7800, or request on line at Chatham County Engineering Department. For other contacts to surrounding jurisdictions click:Here.

Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA)
On August 16, 2018, the current FIRMs went into effect that, in some areas, lowed the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). Additionally, the FIRM added a Limit of Moderate Wave Action (LiMWA) line. The LiMWA area pertains to structures that are subject to wave action between three feet and foot-and-a-half. This area receives A zone flood rates but may be required to follow V zone building regulations. Contact Tom McDonald(912) 651-6530 X 1895 for more information. To see a local panel and more details click on: Show me more about LiMWA.

Is Your Property Eligible for a Letter of Map Amendment?
Check if your structure is eligible for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) based on the lowest grade and BFE, which, if approved, could lower your flood premium. Use the SAGIS map to look up your Property Flood Zone and Contour grade. Use the below link to SAGIS site and check the Effective Flood Zones and Elevation Contours layers. IF the structure is in an AE or VE zone and the lowest contour grade is at or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) you may be eligible. Talk with your surveyor or flood insurance agent.

Find My Flood Zone. Use this new web map to follow step by step instructions to discover thecurrent flood zones and new proposed flood zones throughout Chatham County. (Click on the below icon).

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Citizens Are Advised to Report Any Structural Flooding:

by using either the City’s on line form or by contacting the City’s Call Center by dialing 311 or after hours to (912)351-3434.

$ How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost $

The Cost Fact Sheet displays actual flood insurance cost of a residential building that is in the different flood zones, elevations, & uses. For the exact cost of your structure, talk with your flood insurance agent, insurance advocate above, or visit FloodSmart.gov web page. Link:Cost Fact Sheet. (NOTE: due to FEMAs' Risk Rating 2.0 program, Flood Insurance prices may change. Contact your flood insurance agent or visit Floodsmart.gov for accurate premiums and details. Continue reading to learn more under the heading: Let’s Talk Flood Risk Rating 2.0 for more facts.

Below are a few fun interactive web links that viewers may find useful:

• How to calculate flood damages based on flood water depths in my home: “The cost of flooding”: Floodsmart.gov - Flood Damage Calculator
• How to determine my flood risk: Use “Flood Factor”
• Identify your flood risk by address: Georgia Flood Map Program

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_Para obtener información sobre cómo proteger su propiedad y prepararse para una inundación, abra este documento.

o NUEVO: ¿Está preparado para una inundación en su vecindario? (Madera / COS)
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

To learn more about protecting your property and preparing for a flood, download these documents and visit the helpful resources listed below:

• NEW: Are You Prepared For A Flood In Your Neighborhood?(Wood/COS)
• Answers to Common Questions about Flood Determinations
• Contact Information
• 10 Facts about Floods and Safety Information (2023 - OPF)
• Slab-on-Grade Construction: "Rising Above the Flood" from The LSU AgCenter
• Website link to LSU AgCenter.
• FEMA Science: Frequently-Asked-Questions Website
• FEMA Technical Bulletins web link
• Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting Flyer: references to other useful publications
• Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting FEMA P-312 (2014)
• Red Cross: Flood Safety | Flood Preparedness
• Coastal Risk Screening Tool- Sea Level Rise projection
• Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts by NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer

Community outreach covering such topics as ways to reduce our impacts on water resources, flood insurance, flood protection, Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and contact information for Chatham County and City of Savannah services resources.

Be Aware of Potential Flooding Based On Past Flooding Events Throughout Savannah and Chatham County

Know Flooded Areas: Dots on the inserted map show areas of past reported flooding.

• Are You Prepared For The Next Flood? (2023 - OPC)

Flood insurance, questions to ask before purchasing property

• Questions to Ask Before You Buy or Rent Property.
• Mandatory Flood Insurance Purchase
• Dealing with Contractors. Steps to follow to protect yourself from fraud.

List of funding websites and contacts

• Financial Assistance for Property Protection Measures
• Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security 404-635-7000 or 800-TRYGEMA 800-879-4362) or by the web GEMA: Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants
• Local contact: Real Estate Specialist Property Acquisition, Disposition, and Management, EChin@Savannahga.Gov. (912) 651-6524.

Let’s Talk Flood Risk Rating 2.0:

Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action

• Link to FEMA’s general information: Risk Rating 2.0
• Link to Risk Rating Infor about Georgia:. Profile Fact Sheet:
• Link to what is covered and NOT covered by Flood Insurance: FEMA Fact Sheet

Have more questions or concerns about Flood Insurance and Risk Rating 2.0?

• FEMA has established an Interim Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate as required by HFIAA. The public can reach the Acting Flood Insurance Advocate by email at at insurance-advocate@fema.dhs.gov or for additional advocacy assistance visit FEMA’s advocate website.
• WHAT? My Flood Insurance has gone up. Why??
  Citizens can contact one of two local insurance advocates
  • Jeff Brady, ANFI:912-356-3815
  • Lisa Sharrard, CFM ANFI CPM: (803) 865-4297
• Local Floodplain Information and Flood Determination Letters
  • Mr. Tom McDonald, CFM with the City of Savannah: 912-651-6530

Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan and Annual Update:

City of Savannah’sFlood Hazard Mitigation Plan is part of an annual process being undertaken by the City that reduces flood insurance premiums by 25% for Savannah homeowners, and aids the City’s ongoing floodplain and storm water management efforts. Other flood protect plans include the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis and Natural Floodplain Protection Plan. For more information click on the below link for more details on the Plans and annual update reports. Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan to help Reduce Our Natural Hazard Risks. As part of the Plan, the City mails over 800 letters to properties that have flooded or are adjacent to flooded structures. To view the letter click: RLAA Letter

But wait, there is more! Know how to protect yourself and your property, Flood Insurance, Flood Recovery, Grants/Funding, Flood Facts and Terms, FEMA publications, and other interesting information. Link: Repetitive Flood Portal

Elevation Certificates (EC) On line, Flood Determination Letters, Flood Insurance Studies (FIS),Letter of Map Changes (LOMC), FEMA Forms, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, and Datum:

Elevation Certificates & Community Flood Determination Letters:

If you do not find an EC you are looking for, contact the community's floodplain manager. The structure could be in an area outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, PreFIRM, Grandfathered, or built in a different jurisdiction.

• City of Savannah: Ensure your property is within the City limits and not in one of the eight surrounding jurisdictions. Properties that have a tax Property Identifying Number (PIN) beginning with the number two: 2-XXXX-XX-XXX. To view Elevation Certificates in the City limits click on: Search for ElevationCertificates the City of Savannah has on file listed by street names.
  For a Flood Determination request contact 912-651-6530 or email link: Email. Please provide address and PIN Number .
• Areas in the Unincorporated Chatham County and SurroundingCommunities: For an address that has a PIN beginning with the number one: click on the link and scroll to the bottom of UCC web page for EC and Flood Determination request: To view Chatham County’s Database. Contacts to surrounding jurisdictions click: Here.
• Need a local surveyor? For local Surveyors click: Surveyors. The City provides surveyors information as part of the CRS program. For additional surveyors check the yellow pages or internet.

Flood Insurance Study (FIS) | Letter Of Map Changes (LOMC) | Revalidation Letter
Click here for access page to the Flood Insurance Study (FIS), LOMC and FEMA Revalidation Letter

Forms: Blank Elevation Certificate and Other Needed Design Certificates

Need the Engineered Venting IBC ES reports?

If you need the IBC ES Reports for engineered vents, click on the "Vent Cert IBC ES Report" folder on the Elevation Certificate page. Click here to be swiftly transported to the EC page.

City of Savannah Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and NFIP information

Click here for access page to local ordinances, amendments, FEMA Technical Bulletins, and Substantial Improvements information.

Addition Information FIRM datum change
Datum Change, Difference between NGVD 1929 and NAVD 1988

More Flood Safety Tips:
When the City is experiencing heavy rains and localized flooding, we recommend that you take the following precautions:

• Do not drive through standing water; it may be deeper than it looks.
• Drive slowly through ponding water, so waves do not cause damage to other vehicles or nearby homes.
• Do not remove manhole covers to release flood waters; this backs up the sewer system.
• If flooding occurs, the City will barricade affected streets and will monitor and strictly enforce all street closures.
• Please remember, when traffic lights are out in an intersection, it becomes a 4-way stop, and you must yield to the person on your right before proceeding.
• To learn more information see: Flooding - In General.

Citizens are advised to report any structural flooding

by using either the City’s on line form or by contacting the City’s Call Center by dialing 311 or after hours to 351-3434.

*** Report Street Flooding 311, Click on web link: 311 ****

During heavy rain, the City recommends that the following streets be avoided:

• Fairmont-Hanover-Hodgson
• West Victory at Ogeechee
• Goebel Avenue at President
• East Gwinnett at Skidaway
• West Gwinnett at Stiles (City Lot)
• Whitaker at West 33rd
• Abercorn from DeRenne to Victory
• Habersham from DeRenne to Victory
• Paulsen from DeRenne to Victory
• Reynolds from DeRenne to Victory
• Harmon from DeRenne to Victory
• Bay Street, East of Fell/Brittany
• Fell/Baker/Jenks from Bay St. to Augusta Avenue
• Henry from Cedar St. to Waters Avenue
• Atlantic at Maupas Avenue
• President St. from Gen. McIntosh to Pennsylvania Avenue
• North bound ramp onto the Truman Parkway at Eisenhower.
• Paulsen and East Park
• 500 block East 36th St

Alternate routes during heavy rains:

• From Downtown to Midtown: MLK Jr. Boulevard, 37th St., Bull and White Bluff, DeRenne Avenue, Abercorn Extension
• From Downtown to Westside: I-516/Lynes Parkway
• From Downtown to Southside: MLK Jr. Boulevard, I-16, I-516/Lynes Pkwy, Southwest Bypass/Veterans Pkwy, GA 204/Abercorn Extension.
• From Downtown to Islands: Bay St., East Broad, Wheaton, Ash St., Anderson St., Truman Parkway, Victory Dr., U.S. 80 East.

CEMA Hurricane Evacuation, Shelter & Transportation Brochure

• CEMA Pamphlet

Flood Warning System:

In Chatham County, CEMA manages the flood warning system. Once CEMA receives a potential dangerous warning, sirens are activated. The sirens can give as little as fifteen minutes warning time. When you hear the sirens, information can be heard on the television or on the radio at WSVH (91.1) for what to do. Information can be heard on the NOAA weather radio broadcast at frequency 162.40. Local evacuation routes can be found in the phone book. To learn more visit CEMA’s web page: Outdoor Warning Sirens Explained, but come back to learn more about Flood Protection.

River gauge data can be viewed by clicking on the web links:

• Tide at Ft. Pulaski
• The Smart Sea Level Sensors

See additional gauges by visiting the USGA or the National Weather Service websites For more information, contact CEMA at 201-4500 or visit the website at chathamemergency.org.

Y'all Ready For THIS? Episode 15: Smart Sea Level Sensors

If you need more information please see the Frequently Asked Questions section. Scroll down to Flood Protection Information header.

Flood Happens, Buy down your flood risk by purchasing Flood Insurance today.

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