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

3/6/23 @ 11:40 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 ONE: KNOW YOUR HAZARD
Did you know that many areas in Nassau County are prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? Property owners need to know their flood risk. This can be found at ​https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home or ​https://maps.nassauflpa.com/portal/apps/sites/?fromEdit=true#/mapgallery

Maximize your flood preparedness and recovery by visiting FEMAs Know Your Risk webpage which provides specific information for homeowners, renters, and business owners including information on resiliency and activities to help reduce your risk. 

-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 

2/9/23 @ 9:15 a.m. - Earlier this year, the Association of State Floodplain Managers built the Reduce Flood Risk website to assist property owners in reducing flood risks. The website allows you to access information tailored to your situation and needs. By answering a series of questions, Reduce Flood Risk can help you identify strategies most likely to protect your home or business from flooding in the future.  

Below is a quick demonstration video which shows you how to navigate the site. 

Stay tuned in March for additional tips as we recognize Flood Awareness Week. 

#ReduceFloodRisk

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer

1/25/23 @ 4:40 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has received an Award of Excellence for Culture and Historic Preservation for the American Beach Community Master Plan. Since 2018, the County has worked hard to design a plan to enhance the community while maintaining its unique history and culture. The scope of work included extensive community engagement including public meetings with property owners, public workshops, and interviews with stakeholders. The needs and priorities identified through the outreach efforts were then used to develop the final master plan which includes protection of the beach and dunes, as well as the history of the community. The plan also includes enhancements for the community such as water/sewer lines, street lighting, paved streets and sidewalks, and preservation of historic structures such as the Evans Rendezvous. 

Seeing all the efforts put forth, the Northeast Florida Regional Council selected the County for this prestigious award. The Board was then recognized at their Awards Luncheon held on January 5, 2023. The Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Beth Payne, stated, “The Northeast Florida Regional Council is happy to recognize Nassau County’s outstanding efforts to preserve a piece of Northeast Florida history. American Beach is one of our area’s hidden gems and it is the Council’s pleasure to recognize the work done by the County, it’s staff and volunteers to continually engage the residents of American Beach and work together to safeguard the cultural history, as well as the future of the American Beach community."

Interim Planning Director/Economic Resources Coordinator, Holly Coyle, stated, “The American Beach Master Plan captures the essence of American Beach by protecting the sense of place, honoring the rich cultural heritage of the community, and authentically telling the story of American Beach through the built and natural environment. Through an extensive public engagement process, the community identified its needs and priorities and created a list of recommendations to achieve their final vision. Among those recommendations were the installation of public water and sanitary sewer; the paving and resurfacing of roadways; re-evaluation of The Crossroads; and the expansion of the A. L. Lewis Museum.  We are honored to have been selected for this award and look forward to bringing this initiative to fruition.”

To view the Northeast Florida Regional Council's Press Release regarding the 2023 Awards, please click here. 

If you have any questions related to the American Beach Community Master Plan, please visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/990/American-Beach-Neighborhood-Planning or contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300.

-Sabrina Robertson
​ Public Information Office

12/16/22 @ 10:30 a.m. - At the Monday, December 12th meeting, Senior Planner, Josh Macbeth, provided an update to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan. This Plan was the result of a two-year intensive planning effort that included an in-depth analysis of history, culture, growth trends, land uses, economic development, visual quality, and environmental impacts along the SR200 corridor. The Plan was prepared in consultation with the Community Services Group, a division of GAI Consultants. 

The purpose and intent of the plan was to craft a vision for the corridor as a multi-functional, safe, and sustainable community in which people can live, work, and play. The concepts in the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan emerged with the support of Nassau County residents, property owners, business operators, and county officials. The plan charts a path toward the future that is livable, sustainable, and economically vital, and is guided by five planning priorities:

Nurture Nature
Maintain, enhance, and extend the natural environment by creating opportunities for residents to access and enjoy Florida’s unique natural areas.

Grow Sustainably
Help stage vibrant shopping center and neighborhood growth through development that creates places for people, supports local businesses and generates additional jobs, encourages an active lifestyle, and comprises a mix of housing options.

Connect Communities
Improve linkages between neighborhoods, shopping centers, and amenities through a network of slow, safe, and livable primary and secondary streets, trails, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure.

Catalyze Culture
Build on heritage while establishing new cultural assets that celebrate community creativity and identity in the public realm.

Future Proof
Prepare for a future by looking ahead to build a resilient community in the face of growing climate concern and technological advancements.

The SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on December 13, 2021, via Resolution No. 2021-214. Per the Resolution, staff was to provide an update to the Board with 12 months of adoption regarding amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code that are necessary for implementation of the Plan. The adopted Plan can be located on the County's website. 

To view the presentation, please click here. 

-Sabrina Robertson 
​ Public Information Officer