5/12/23 @ 10:00 a.m. -

As a voluntary participant in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), residents in the unincorporated areas of the County enjoy a reduction in the cost of their flood insurance policy premium. This is accomplished through the County's efforts to undertake floodplain activities that exceed minimum FEMA/NFIP floodplain standards such as retrofit of facilities, drainage improvements, public outreach events, and community messaging that earn the County "credits" to improve its CRS ranking

Participation in the CRS program also provides credit to the county for submitting the five-year Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) and its annual update. The LMS is produced by the Nassau County Emergency Operations Center and is required by the Florida Division of Emergency Management for the purpose of assessing potential hazards that threaten the County and identifying cost-effective actions that will reduce or eliminate the impacts of these hazards. Mitigation proposals are prioritized and the entities responsible for implementing the action are identified, as are sources of potential funding. 

Presented here today, is the required publication of the Annual Progress Report of Nassau County’s Local Mitigation Strategy for CRS credit which outlines the progress toward completing the County’s various flood-related mitigation strategies.
 
If you have any questions, please reach out to CRS Coordinator, Naomi Braff, at (904) 530-6250 or via email at nbraff@nassaucountyfl.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has proclaimed April as National County Government Month. Each day this month, we will provide different facts about Nassau County, including information about its history, services provided and more.

Building Permits
Did you know that when you file for a building permit, you can follow its progress online through our permitting system? From the date your permit is submitted to the date it is issued, you can see each time it is routed to a new division for review, as well as any staff comments that are received during the review process. Having the ability to track permits often relieves anxiety and reduces concerns because the applicant can stay informed throughout the process. 

Next time you request a permit, visit our MUNIS Self-Service website. You will need to create an account first but once that is done, all you need is a permit # or address to search and view the status of your permit. 

If you have any questions,  please contact the Building Department at (9040 530-6250.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

The National Association of Counties (NACo) has proclaimed April as National County Government Month. Each day this month, we will provide different facts about Nassau County, including information about its history, services provided and more.

Did you know that the County has an Ordinance in place that established minimum standards as to the maintenance of buildings and structures? The Ordinance was originally adopted in 2000 however it was amended in 2019 to provide for a nuisance declaration of buildings or structures in violation of the Ordinance. It also provides a mechanism for the County to repair or demolish buildings or structures that have been declared a nuisance when the property owner fails to comply and allows the County to place a lien on the property to recover associated expenses if/when the property is sold.

Unsafe structures are not only an eyesore, they are a threat to the health and safety of the community. These types of structures attract insects and rodents which spread disease. The structures also have a risk of collapsing. 

Since the Ordinance No. 2019-15 went into effect in 2019, approximately 80 unsafe structures have been removed within the County limits. This would not have been possible without the hard work of our Building Official, Building Inspectors, and our Code Enforcement Officers. Thanks to their efforts, many neighborhoods in our community are now free of the unsightly and unhealthy structures that once burdened them.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

4/9/23 @ 2:45 p.m. -The National Association of Counties (NACo) has proclaimed April as National County Government Month. Each day this month, we will provide different facts about Nassau County, including information about its history, services provided and more.

Did you know that the Board of County Commissioners are voluntary participants in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) program? CRS is an incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Nassau County joined the program in May 2017 and since that time has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for a reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners within the unincorporated areas of the County.

Flood insurance premiums are set nationally based on the age of structure, building materials and level of risk. However, communities that volunteer to adopt and enforce stricter ordinances, known as “Higher Standards,” to reduce flood risk can enroll in the CRS Program to earn insurance premium discounts for their residents.

In order to maintain and/or improve CRS Ratings, the County earns “credits” for its efforts in providing information to the public, maintaining current flood maps, improving flood regulations to reduce the possibility of flood damage, and ensuring flood preparedness. Based on total credits earned, communities are assigned a CRS Classification which determines the percentage of discounts given to property owners.

Thanks to our floodplain experts in the County's Building and Development Services Departments, the County recently increased its rating from a Class 8 to a Class 7 CRS Rating. This rating allows property owners in the unincorporated area to benefit from a 15% premium reduction on flood insurance policies with an overall cost savings of $232,000. The Board is excited about this progress and will continue to work hard so that residents can benefit from future savings as well.  

For information on the CRS Program, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/community-rating-system.

3/10/23 @ 9:00 a.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 FIVE: BUILD RESPONSIBLY
Build responsibly. 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 regulations and flood mapping. These apply when a structure is below a known base flood elevation plus freeboard.

​For more information, visit https://library.municode.com/fl/nassau_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORNACOFL_CH10_1-2FLMA

3/9/23 @ 9:00 a.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 FOUR: PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
Protect your property from flood hazards. Insurance is your first level of protection. Other methods include installing flood vents where appropriate or raising electrical system components. For more information on how to protect your property, visit: https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/know-your-risk/homeowners-renters  

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/8/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - Stay safe. Intense or excessive rainfall can overtop canals and ditches, flooding streets. Remember to turn around, don't drown! Driving through flooded streets can stall your car and cause wave action to move structures along the road. 

Prepare ahead and make a flood emergency plan today. Visit the National Water Service page dedicated to this topic. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/7/23 @ 9:15 a.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 TWO: FLOOD INSURANCE
Flood insurance is available to everyone, regardless of whether you rent, own or have a business, and it's even available if you are not in mapped floodplain. 

Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both. It's up to you to ensure you have a policy in place to protect your assets. 

Learn more at ​www.fema.gov/flood-insurance.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

3/3/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - At the Monday, February 27th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-012, proclaiming the second week in March as Flood Awareness Week. This week has also been designated by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies. 

Nassau County is a voluntary member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through purchase of flood insurance at discounted rates. As part of the NFIP, the Community Rating System Program recognizes counties that undertake floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum floodplain requirements.

Since joining the NFIP in May 2017, Nassau County has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for additional premium reductions for property owners in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County. In order to improve ratings, the County has increased its efforts to provide information to the community by maintaining flood maps, improving flood regulations, and ensuring flood preparedness. These efforts paid off greatly because in October 2022, Nassau County was able to increase its rating from a Class 8 which allowed residents to enjoy a 10% discount to a Class 7, allowing residents to enjoy a 15% discount!

​A lot of credit is given to Nassau County's CRS Coordinator, Naomi Braff, as she works tirelessly to engage in CRS credited activities and is committed to floodplain management. We appreciate Naomi and all she does for Nassau County and its residents. 

Stay tuned next week during Flood Awareness Week as we provide you with daily tips to protect yourselves and your property from flood damage.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer