The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) is gathering information to improve identification of flood prone areas in Sumter County. Residents living in the Jumper Creek watershed are invited to attend an open house on Thursday, April 12 at
4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Sumter County Fairgrounds, located at 7620 SR 471 in Bushnell.
District representatives will present preliminary data for flood prone areas, explain the basis behind the findings, and gather additional information that may be used to identify areas which may be prone to flooding. After addressing public comments, information will be finalized and presented to the District's Governing Board for approval to use the data for regulatory purposes. This information is not currently being incorporated into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs); however, it may be used in future DFIRM updates.
The information which identifies areas prone to flooding can be used by local governments for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, to reduce flood risks, to preserve land and water resources, and for emergency planning. It will also provide valuable information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property.
For more information or to find out which watershed you live in, please visit WaterMatters.org/FloodRisk or call the District at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4297.
