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.