Escambia, FL – flooddefenders.org

Better flood protection in Escambia County
starts with action

Make your voice heard and demand better flood protection for Escambia County

$300+ million in property damage — hundreds of
residents forced out of their homes

We’re a community that believes in hope. We’ve been hoping for many years. Unfortunately, that hope is falling short. Escambia County Resident Council Meeting January 2021

Escambia County has had two 100-year storms and one 500-year storm in the last 12 years

Do you feel like your local government doesn’t care about your problem?

Do you worry every time a hurricane or heavy rain is in the forecast?

Have flooded roads interfered with your ability to travel?

Flood protection starts with a proactive approach — Escambia County doesn’t meet the grade

Overall Grade: D

PLAN

The county’s flood maps aren’t accurate, and while they have a plan for stormwater management and flood protection, they’re way behind schedule

PROTECT

It took Escambia County until 2015 to bring its development standards up to average, requiring that new buildings be protected from a 100-year storm. But now the county needs to enforce those standards

INVEST

Stormwater management and flood protection projects are hugely underfunded – the county has only funded 8% of the projects it planned in 2015

REPAIR

Escambia’s maintenance and repair teams for stormwater infrastructure are under-resourced – the county does not have sufficient stormwater staff

The 2015 plan was left unfunded

The $417 million stormwater plan created after the 2014 floods remains largely unfunded leaving Escambia County unprotected.

The threats – and urgency for expensive action – will only increase in the years ahead.

learn more

Escambia Officials Take Over Ponds to Reduce the Impact of Flooding

Inch of Rain Causes Flooding at Site of Flood Defenders’ Campaign

Santa Rosa County Denies Flood Protection Measures in New Code

Flood Defenders in Escambia County’s District 3 Demand Better Protection

Escambia Neighborhood Outside of FEMA Flood Zone Keeps Flooding

The 2015 plan was left unfunded

learn more

“The county has a lot on their plate and the squeaky wheel gets oil first. If you’re not in their ear, you’re not going to get any flooding solutions.”

Chris Curb,
Former Escambia County Stormwater Manager

take action

Fix Our Ponds & Ditches!

Escambia County has a multi-year backlog on pond and ditch maintenance that is increasing your flood risk and creating a county-wide eye sore. The backlog is driven by a severe staff shortage. Low wages in Escambia’s Public Works Department has led to 40 unfilled jobs – no one wants to work for less than what local construction companies pay. Take 1 minute to tell the County Commissioners to use common sense to hire the staff or bring in contractors to fix the ponds and ditches!

tell the county

Local expertise and information about solutions to your flood problem

Best-in-class digital tools that make amplifying your voice easy

Organizing members for council meetings, town halls, webinars, etc.

Measure progress on flood funding and policy and hold elected officials accountable

With your message, elected officials will know they’re held accountable

Governor Ron DeSantis signing the “Always Ready” flood bill into law – click here to go deeper.

More Investment

Money will be put towards flood protection plans in Santa Rosa County

Better Policy

New developments will be planned and built to protect your community

Smart Solutions

Campaigns will drive specific solutions in your neighborhood