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Flood Information for Unincorporated Hillsborough County

Flooding is Hillsborough County’s most repetitive disaster and Hillsborough County Public Works and
Development Services Departments are available to provide information on activities that can be taken to
reduce or eliminate long-term risks to residents and their property from natural and manmade hazards,
including flooding. Flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available for most
properties within Hillsborough County, and elevation certificates received for structures built within the Special
Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) after October 1, 1992 (and some before this date) are available from this
office. Through this program, flood hazard information is offered to all citizens and businesses located within
the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. The County maintains the most current Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) and maintains updates that regularly occur because of map amendments and revisions that have
been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This and additional information including FEMA
Letters of Map Amendments and rules regarding construction within the high-risk flood zone is available
through the Building Services and Hazard Mitigation programs. Information also can be found on the
Hillsborough County web site at www.hillsboroughcounty.org, search “Flood Maps.


Hillsborough County is also a qualifying community under the National Flood Insurance Program Community
Rating System (CRS), which is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The County’s
participation in this program gives residents the ability to obtain Federal flood insurance at a discount of up to
25 percent. The County’s high level of participation and many hazard mitigation efforts has placed it within the
top 10 percent of participating communities within the nation. This provides approximately $5.9 million in
savings off Federal flood-insurance premiums paid by residents annually. This program is monitored by both the
State and Federal governments, which requires strict adherence.

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Homeowners Association Announcement From Hillsborough County

Protecting the resident’s safety is a high priority for Hillsborough County Government.
Anywhere it rains it can flood. A heavy afternoon downpour can turn into a life-threatening and
financially devastating flood in the blink of an eye. Hurricanes and tropical storms increase the
danger from flooding.


Therefore, the County is encouraging all property owners in Hillsborough County to understand
their risk for flooding and to purchase flood insurance. Remember, homeowner’s insurance
does not cover water damage from flooding. Only flood insurance covers water damage to
your property from a flood or storm surge.

Most people know that properties near the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay need flood insurance
due to their elevated risk for storm surge flooding. As a matter of fact, flood insurance is
required by mortgage lenders for most of these property owners.


Hillsborough County has worked hard on your behalf to reduce those rates by adopting
proactive floodplain management requirements to reduce flood risk across the county. This
approach has earned residents a flood insurance discounts of 25 percent.


Hillsborough County understands that insurance is a complicated topic. Don’t let a flood wipe
away everything you’ve worked so hard for. Get flood insurance.


Find out your flood risk. Hillsborough County offers a free flood map information service so that
you can find out if your property is in a high, moderate, or low risk flood zone or a floodway,

and what your hurricane evacuation zone is. Remember flood zones and evacuation zones are
different! This webpage will let you look up the flood zone your property is in.
https://arcg.is/0HD5G10
The following webpage will locate the evacuation zone and provide other good information for
hurricane preparedness.
https://bit.ly/3BPaZ6Q
You can also see if you live near protected areas that have natural floodplain functions, like
wetlands, swamps or mangrove stands. These areas store flood waters or buffer wave action
while providing habitat for wildlife and cleaning the flood water.

Additionally, part of the Community Rating System program is to partner with you to reach your
organization and membership through providing this information to your homeowners. Your
assistance in having this information provided to your membership is greatly appreciated. If
you or the residents have additional questions or would like to speak with someone about
floodplain management topics, please contact us at [email protected].
Thank you for your consideration and help with informing our community.
Sincerely,
Christina Hummel, AICP
CRS Coordinator



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New Scam Alert from Tampa Electric

Dear Valued Customer,

Tampa Electric has become aware of a new scam being perpetrated against our customers. This scam includes a suspicious letter that appears to have our logo on it and claims to be a pitch for “no-cost solar.” The letter requests personal information, such as birthdates and phone numbers. It’s very convincing, but it’s NOT from Tampa Electric. We will NEVER ask for a spouse’s name or birthdate. If you receive this letter, do NOT respond, dispose of it properly and share information about this scam with your friends and neighbors.

Please note that Tampa Electric does NOT:

  • have a partnership with any solar company. 
  • have preferred solar companies. 
  • work with or partner with solar installers
  • currently sell solar panels or batteries to customers

As your friends and neighbors, we care about your safety – including your safety from scams. That’s why our legal team is taking appropriate action against this company. We also want to remind you that scammers are always looking for new tricks so be wary of anyone asking for personal information or demanding payment. For more information about protecting yourself from scams, visit Scam Alert or call us at 888-223-0800 on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.

Tampa Electric

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Webinar: Re-sodding Your Florida Lawn

Hiring a contractor to re-sod your lawn is expensive and doing it yourself can be expensive and time consuming. Learn how yards should be prepared prior to re-sodding and how to properly lay the sod for a healthy lawn. Done incorrectly, maintenance and care could cost more than the initial expense of new sod installation. Sign up through Eventbrite.  https://mar1resoddingyourfloridalawn.eventbrite.com  .

Webinar: Re-sodding Your Florida Lawn

When: Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Need more information? Contact Paula Staples – 813-744-5519 Ext. 54142

Thank you for your help in getting this webinar information to your community residents.

Paula Staples

Florida-Friendly Landscaping

Public Education Program Coordinator

UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

5339 County Road 579

Seffner, FL  33584-3334