Residential Adaptation to Climate Change

Private property owners can take actions to ensure that their homes and businesses are outfitted to be more energy efficient and more resilient to flood, storms, wind, and heat. Homes that are hardened for storms and have updated fixtures and appliances are not only safer, but also more cost effective for residents.

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Know Your Flood Risk

Find out if your home or business is vulnerable to flooding. Knowing your level of risk is the first step to protecting yourself and your property from flood damages.

FEMA Flood Maps 

FloodiQ

NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer 

Surging Seas

Insurance

Due to the City of Miami’s status as Class 6 in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Miami-Dade County flood insurance policy holders who live in a flood zone can receive a 20% discount on their premiums. For more information please contact Guari Mascaro - Flood Plain Manager.

Contact Guari Mascaro

 

Outdoors

  • Use flood-resistant materials on exterior surfaces.
  • If needed, deploy temporary flood barriers, such as portable flood gates or shields, sandbags, inflatable flood walls, and flood skirts.
  • Maintain proper drainage and runoff by clearing out gutters and creating pathways for water away from the home.
  • Slow the flow of water to storm drains by installing a rain barrel or planting vegetation to create opportunities for water to absorbed into the ground. 
  • Instead of an asphalt driveway, permeable alternatives like gravel, paving stones, and paved strips, 
  • Clear out debris from blocked storm drains on your street.

Indoors

  • Elevate and secure electrical appliances.
  • Place all low-lying electrical fixtures on separate electrical circuits.
  • Elevate or cover furniture and other items in your home.
  • Seal the base of walls and doors to prevent leakage from the outside. Using a waterproof wall sealant.
  • Remove installed carpets and replace with area rugs that can be moved when needed.
  • Store copies of irreplaceable documents (such as birth certificates, passports, etc.) in a safe, dry place.
  • If you have experienced flooding, take photos of your home in case you need to file a report in the future.

Residents can get help financing home weatherization, energy efficiency improvements, and renewable energy installations on private property through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Every home and financial situation is different. Therefore it is strongly suggested that residents fully understand the costs and benefits to determine if PACE is worthwhile and affordable. The City offers PACE, however this is not the only way to finance weatherization projects.

Protection Project

Description

Effective against what types of Flooding?

Approximate Cost for a Single Family Home

Swales and Rain Gardens

Swales and rain gardens are areas where rainwater can collect and slowly seep into the ground. They provide extra storage for rainwater, but become less effective as groundwater levels get higher.

Rainfall

$1,000 - $2,500

French Drains

French drains are built by installing a perforated pipe in a small ditch and surrounding it with of gravel. They allow water to seep into the pipe and provide extra storage for rainwater, but become less effective as groundwater levels get higher. The end product should look no different than before the drain was installed, except that the ground is no longer soggy.

Rainfall

$2,000 - $5,000

Cisterns and Rain Barrels

Cisterns and rain barrels are waterproof containers designed to catch and store rainwater. They can be installed above or below ground and come in many different sizes. They are usually designed to drain after the storm has passed, and their capacities are unaffected by rising groundwater levels.

Rainfall

$500 - $2,500

Perimeter Berms

Perimeter berms are mounds of earth that surround a property. They create natural barriers between the home and the adjacent properties. It essentially isolates the property from the neighboring street to prevent flooding from spilling over and needs to be designed with other methods to completely isolate the area and get rid of rain that falls within the area.

King Tides, Storm Surge

$5,000 - $15,000

Flood Walls

Flood walls can be short or tall and are built around the perimeter of a property to create a barrier between the home and the adjacent properties. They isolate the property from the neighboring street to prevent flooding from spilling over and need to be designed with other methods to completely isolate the area and get rid of rain that falls within the area.

King Tides, Storm Surge

$5,000 - $15,000

Temporary Perimeter Flood Barriers

Temporary perimeter flood barriers come in all shapes and sizes, and can be set up ahead of a storm. They can prevent flooding in depths up to three feet, and new products are constantly being developed to provide better protection. They isolate the property from the neighboring street and need to be designed with other methods to get rid of rain that falls within the area.

King Tides, Storm Surge

$5,000 - $50,000+

Temporary Flood Barriers for Doors and Openings

Temporary flood barriers for doors and openings are designed to prevent floodwaters from entering doorways, windows, and other openings. They can prevent flooding in depths up to three feet, and new products are constantly being developed to provide better protection. They are generally for use in the most extreme flooding conditions, when water levels are high enough to creep in the front door, and usually require dry floodproofing.

King Tides, Storm Surge, Rainfall

$1,000 - $5,000

Dry Floodproofing

Dry floodproofing involves sealing a structure below the desired flood level to prevent water from entering. It requires sealing the walls with waterproof coatings or membranes, or extra masonry. It also requires the use of temporary flood barriers to seal off any doors or openings.

King Tides, Storm Surge, Rainfall

$7,500 - $15,000

Elevating Outdoor Equipment

Elevating the outdoor equipment would protect critical systems from failing during a flood. This equipment could include air conditioning units, electrical panels, pool pumps, among others.

King Tides, Storm Surge, Rainfall

$500-$2,500

Elevating Interior Floors

Elevating the interior floors can be done by building new floors inside without making any modifications to the exterior. While this would reduce the overhead clearance inside the house, it could potentially reduce flood insurance costs.

King Tides, Storm Surge, Rainfall

$7,500 - $25,000

Elevating the Structure

Elevating a structure works by raising the lowest floor to a height above the required or desired level of protection. It is the most effective way to reduce flood risk and will likely reduce flood insurance costs, but can be expensive and disruptive.

King Tides, Storm Surge, Rainfall

$100,000+
  • Replace all incandescent lightbulbs with CFL bulbs or LEDs.
  • Install low flow fixtures to sinks, showers, and toilets.
  • Check for drafts. Improve insulation by caulking cracks in walls and around windows, use a seal or draft stopper on doors and windows, and reducing heat exchange through window panes with insulation film.
  • Cover windows and close blinds during the day to reduce heat entering your home.

Resources

Learn how to protect your property from FEMA

Low Cost Flood Protection Guide

PACE Vendors

Residents can get help financing home projects on private property through the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program.  It is strongly suggested that you fully understand the costs and benefits of the contract to determine if PACE is worthwhile and affordable for you. The City offers PACE, however this is not the only financing option. 

 

Florida PACE Funding Agency

Renew Financial

Renovate America

Ygrene

 

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