Residents Reminded to Turn Off Sprinklers, Check Storm Drains
Residents Reminded to Turn Off Sprinklers, Check Storm Drains
BREVARD COUNTY, FL. -- During hurricane season and threats of flooding, residents are encouraged to turn off sprinklers and become familiar with the drainage system at their home and in their neighborhood.
At your home, check that your rain gutters are not clogged and that the drainpipes lead away from your home. Can you answer these questions: where are the stormwater drains located, where could there be problems, who is responsible for maintenance, and how do you contact them? To prevent flooding, residents should make sure storm drains are free of debris so water can drain freely and don’t add to the problem by running sprinklers.
Blockages should be reported to the appropriate authority: their homeowners’ association, their city’s Public Works Department or the Brevard County Public Works Department. County contacts are:
North area -- from the Volusia County line south to the southern boundary of Port St. John, on the mainland: call 321-264-5084 Central area -- All of Merritt Island and south to the Pineda Causeway on the beaches, and from the Southern boundary of Port St. John to Viera Boulevard on the mainland: call 321-455-1389 South Area -- from Viera Boulevard to the Indian River County line on the mainland, and from Pineda Causeway south to the Sebastian Inlet on the beaches: call 321-255-4310
Stormwater management systems are typically designed for 25-year storm events. More extreme rainfall can overwhelm the drainage system and take days to drain. If you experience flooding on your property and have access to the internet you can report flooding at https://tinyurl.com/BCFlood. There is also a link available on the Natural Resources-Watershed Management Program home page: http://www.brevardfl.gov/NaturalResources/WatershedProgram
Many homeowners have automatic timers on their sprinkler systems. Brevard County residents can help to reduce flooding by installing a rain sensor for their irrigation system or by turning off sprinklers for significant rainfall events. This will avoid adding more water to flood-prone areas. Homeowners associations who receive re-use water and have valves internal to their systems are also requested to cease use until irrigation is needed.
Everyone can help reduce the risk of flood damage by ensuring that drainage systems work properly.
Address/Location
Melbourne Beach Police Department
507 Ocean Ave
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 321-773-7212