1/5/26 @ 11:30 a.m.

Join us for a community workshop focused on flood risk and strengthening resiliency across Nassau County. This workshop will provide an overview of the County’s ongoing resiliency efforts and share preliminary findings from the Nassau County Resiliency Study.

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to participate by sharing input on areas vulnerable to flooding, community priorities, and preferred mitigation strategies. Attendees will also learn about practical solutions available to private property owners to help protect homes and businesses.

Home and business owners will also have the opportunity to meet with County staff to discuss site-specific flooding concerns and future resilience planning. Representatives from the Northeast Florida Regional Council, St. Marys Riverkeeper, and North Florida Land Trust will be available to provide information and answer questions related to regional resiliency initiatives.

​WHAT: Flood Adaptation Plan Workshop 
WHEN: Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Commission Chambers, 96135 Nassau Place, Yulee, FL 32097

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Stormwater Drainage Department at (904) 530-6390 or e-mail [email protected]. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

12/21/25 @ 4:00 p.m.

​Nassau County’s impact fees have remained unchanged for many years, even as the cost of building essential infrastructure has continued to rise. Florida law requires local governments to periodically review and update impact fees to ensure they remain fair, lawful, and aligned with the actual cost of growth.

Unfortunately, following three public workshops where accurate information was presented publicly, misinformation is circulating about the purpose, collection, and necessity of impact fees. To ensure residents have accurate information, the County is clarifying the facts. Please click here to read our Press Release: Impact Fees - Fact vs. Fiction. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

8/29/25 @ 2:30 p.m. - At the Monday, August 25, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners took time to honor Building Official Keith Ellis as he prepared to retire after an incredible 29 years of service to Nassau County.

Keith’s career in the construction industry spans more than four decades, beginning in the private sector before joining Nassau County nearly 30 years ago. Over that time, he wore many hats, beginning as a Building Inspector, then moving into roles such as Plans Examiner, Senior Plans Examiner, Interim Building Official, and ultimately serving as the County’s Building Official and Floodplain Administrator.
His commitment to professionalism never wavered. Keith earned State of Florida licenses as an inspector and plans examiner in every various trades including Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical,as well as the Florida Building Code Administrator license. Beyond that, he pursued 27 International Code Council Certifications, including the highly respected Master Code Professional and Certified Building Official titles. In 2009, he also became a Certified Floodplain Manager, adding another layer of expertise to his work.

For nearly three decades, Keith worked side by side with Nassau County’s building community and local property owners, always striving to ensure that projects met safety and code requirements. His knowledge, fairness, and dedication made him a trusted figure for contractors, homeowners, and colleagues alike.
As he officially steps into retirement on August 29, 2025, Keith leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and service. He will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of working with him, as well as by the many citizens whose homes, businesses, and community spaces are safer because of his work.
​
The Board of County Commissioners expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Keith Ellis, commending his outstanding service and wishing him health, happiness, and fulfillment in this next chapter of life.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Communications Officer

6/1/25 @ 9:00 a.m. - Today is the beginning of Hurricane Season so we wanted to take time to remind everyone of the dangers of flooding and the importance of flood insurance. 

No home is completely safe from a flood and unfortunately, most home insurance policies don't cover flooding. According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), 32% of NFIP flood claims come from outside high-flood risk areas. Heavy rainfall and flooding can overwhelm drainage systems, causing water to seep into homes and cause extensive damage to floors, walls, and personal belongings. According to Floridadisaster.org, just one inch of water can cause more than $25,000 in damage! 

Flood insurance is available to everyone: homeowners, condo owners, business owners, and renters. Flood insurance be purchased at anytime, however waiting until a storm is threatening your home is too late as many policies take up to 30 days to go into effect. Start shopping now, if you haven't already. 

Other ways you can protect yourself and property include: 

• Know Your Hazard. Visit FEMA's Flood Map Service center at msc.fema.gov/portal/search and enter your address to identify your flood zone. 
• Know Your Zone. Use resources like Florida Disaster's "Know Your Zone", to determine if you're property is in an evacuation zone or low-lying, flood prone area.  
• Elevate Utilities. Raise electrical outlets, switches, HVAC systems and other utilities above the flood level to prevent water damage. 
• Seal Openings. Seal all openings in the foundation, walls, and doors with waterproof sealants, caulking and weather strips to prevent water intrusion. 
• Landscape Improvements. Modify landscaping to redirect surface water away from the foundation such as grading the soil, installing swales or French drains, and using permeable paving materials. 
• Keep Gutters Clear. Ensure gutters and storm drains are free of debris to allow water to flow away from your home. 
• Build Responsibly. Don't develop in floodplains. Though federal and state laws may allow construction in floodplains if the structure is raised above the base flood elevation, there can still be problems. When floodplains are filled or paved over, they are no longer able to absorb water. 

For information on your flood hazard and flood zone, visit our new GIS Flood Map Service Page. Additional information on flooding, its impacts and property insurance can also be found at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/627/Flood-Information. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

4/1/25 @ 9:30 a.m. - Elevate Florida is a first-of-its-kind, statewide program designed to enhance community resilience by mitigating private residences against natural hazards like floods and hurricanes.  Led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the program offers grants and low-interest loans to help homeowners cover the costs of elevating their homes, rebuilding them at a higher elevation or acquiring and demolishing at-risk structures to maintain as open space. 

At this time, Elevate Florida is accepting applications from property owners who want to make improvements to their residential properties to protect against future impacts. To be considered, you must: 

• Be over the age of 18
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be the legal property owner of a residential property in the State of Florida
• Be able to contribute up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the project's total cost.

Multi-family real estate such as duplexes, triplexes, condos, townhomes, semi-detached homes, apartments and manufactured homes may also be eligible. The property does not need to have experience flooding or damage in the past to be considered. However, applications many be prioritized based on a history of loss. The property being submitted for a mitigation project must be owned by the individual(s), not a corporate or commercial entity (including LLCs).

To learn more about the program, including where/how to apply, please visit: https://www.floridadisaster.org/dem/mitigation/elevate-Florida/. The application deadline is April 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/24/25 @ 11:00 a.m. -

​Elevate Florida is a new, statewide residential mitigation program. Led by the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM), this program is designed to protect homes and communities by reducing damage caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. There are currently two virtual sessions scheduled for Tuesday, March 25th, one from 12:00-1:00 p.m. and another from 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Legal property owners of residential property in the State of Florida are encouraged to attend. Participants will receive an overview of the Elevate Florida Program including the program process, property owner cost-share, and a Q&A session. 
​

• To register for the March 25th session from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m., click here. 
• To register for the March 25th session from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., click here. 

After registering, you will receive a webinar link. 

For more information about Elevate Florida, visit www.FloridaDisaster.org/ElevateFlorida.

3/8/25 2 6:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected,

Natural ecosystems regulate water flow and reduce the severity of flooding! Nature-based solutions like gardens, parks, and wetlands help absorb flood waters, too. Make sure drains stay clear of debris so systems don’t overflow, leading to runoff and pollution in waterways. Report debris or material dumping to Nassau County Code Enforcement.


-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer
​
#Ecosystems #FloodAwareness Week

3/7/25 @ 6:00 a.m. 

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Five
Being flood-smart starts with planning. Don't develop in floodplains.  Which construction regulations apply to the area? Is there enough drainage and area for stormwater runoff? You can make substantial improvements to flood-prone structures by using current floodplain management techniques, like elevating and floodproofing. Visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1258/Floodplain-Management-Resilience-Plannin​ for additional information. 

#UpToStandards #FloodAwarenessWeek

3/6/25 @ 6:00 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Four
What steps can you take to protect your property from floods? Step 1: Flood insurance. Step 2: Elevate electrical items. Step 3: Seal foundations, install pumps or flood vents, and grade landscaping away from homes. To learn more at https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/627/Flood-Information. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

#FloodAwarenessWeek

3/5/25 @ 6:00 a.m.

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Three:
Floodwaters are deceptively dangerous! Even 6" of moving water can knock people down and sweep away cars. Be proactive to stay safe! Know your risks and make a flood plan and preparation kit. Monitor alerts when bad weather comes, get to higher ground, and heed warning signs. To learn more, visit:​ www.floridadisaster.org/planprepare/.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/4/25 # 6:00 a.m.

​It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Two: 
You don't have to live in a high-risk zone to be flooded. Flood insurance covers you if waters affect your property. Most property insurance doesn't cover flooding. Flood insurance is for renters, owners and businesses to help you recover faster. Visit https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance to learn more. 



-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

#GetCovered #BetterSafeThanSorry #FloodInsurance #FloodAwarenessWeek

3/3/25 @ 9:00 a.m.

​It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

DAY ONE
​Did you know that most areas in Florida are potentially prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? Residents and property owners need to know their flood risk. Find your local flood hazard designation here.
​
#KnowYourZone #FloodAwarenessWeek

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

2/25/25 @ 3:30 p.m.

To recognize the importance of flood hazard preparedness, mitigation, public education and awareness, the State of Florida through the Florida Floodplain Managers Association (FFMA) enacted Flood Awareness Week (FAW) in 2022. At the Monday, February 24, 2025 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners approved a Proclamation proclaiming the week of March 3 - March 9, 2025 as Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. 

As a voluntary member of the National Flood Insurance Program, Nassau County residents enjoy a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums for residential properties in the County limits (unincorporated area). This is achieved by earning credit points through the NFIP's Community Rating System which recognizes counties that undertake floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum floodplain requirements. 

Continuing our efforts to improve ratings, the County will release a flood safety tip each day during Flood Awareness Week. We trust this information is helpful to our residents in reducing the loss of life and property damage through flood preparedness, control and mitigation measures.

To learn more about the Community Rating System Program and how Nassau County is working to improve flood insurance rates for its residents, visit: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/1257/Community-Rating-System-CRS.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Communications Officer

3/10/24 @ 4:30 p.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage. 

DAY SEVEN
Most areas in Nassau County are prone to some amount of damage from coastal flooding, including sea level rise. Learn about scientific predictions for rising sea levels in Nassau County and potential impacts on our coastal community at fema.gov/grants.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

It's Flood Awareness Week so every day, we will release a tip or strategy you can use to ensure you and your property are protected.

Day Five
Build responsibly, and avoid building in floodplains. Before you build, find out what the regulations are and what permits are required. Be aware of substantial improvement rules, which are there to correct structures built before current regulations and flood mapping. These apply when a structure is below a known base flood elevation plus freeboard. For more information, visit your community's flood risk website at: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/627/Flood-Information. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer