Florida Rural Water Association

Flood Preparedness and Response

Guidance Manual

For

Water and Wastewater Utilities

April 8, 2009

Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions1

Obtaining Flood Level Information for Your Area

Suwannee River Water Management District2

Reporting Water/Wastewater Utility Conditions with StormTracker

Florida Dept. Environmental Protection 3

Obtaining Assistance from Florida Water/Wastewater Utilities

FlaWARN 4

Obtaining Additional Manpower and Resources from

Florida Water/Wastewater Utilities – FlaWARN Mutual Aid Agreement 5

Preparing and Restoring Flood Damaged Water/Wastewater Facilities

FlaWARN Best Management Practices Manual – Flood Excerpt 6

Obtaining Assistance from State and Federal Agencies

County Emergency Management Organizational Map and Phone Numbers 7

Introduction to Guidance Manual

Proper preparation for flooding can minimize the impact of even the most severe floods. Florida’s Water and Wastewater utilities have joined together in an organization known as FlaWARN which provides “Best Management Practices” to members to help them prepare. This document includes the Flood Excerpt, Best Management Practices for your use.

Membership in FlaWARN is easy. Just pull up the FlaWARN web page at and enter in your utility’s data. There is no cost or obligation. As a member of FlaWARN you will be contacted in the event of an emergency and assisted if you request help.

If you desire manpower and equipment to be sent to assist your facility, you must complete a Mutual Aid Agreement. The agreement states that you will reimburse any utility for their direct expenses for sending manpower or equipment when requested when you have requested it. By signing the Agreement you agree to reciprocate by sending your resources in a reciprocal arrangement if they are available and you can release them without the possibility of adversely impacting your own needs.

Also included in the Guidance Manual, are instructions for entering utility damage information into DEPS’ StormTracker. StormTracker is an integrated database used by emergency response organizations to assess the overall status of water and wastewater utilities impacted by an emergency event. By entering your utility information into StormTracker the status of your utility is immediately known by the regulatory and response agencies who can then better prioritize and manage available resources.

Lastly, information is provided that identifies your county Emergency Operations Center. This agency can provide information on emergency conditions and can assist you with other public safety, public health and security needs.

Obtaining Flood Level Information for Your Area

Suwannee River Water Management District

Reporting Water/Wastewater Utility Conditions with StormTracker

Florida Dept. Environmental Protection

Obtaining Assistance from Florida Water/Wastewater Utilities

FlaWARN

Obtaining Additional Manpower and Resources from

Florida Water/Wastewater Utilities

FlaWARN Mutual Aid Agreement

Preparing and Restoring Flood Damaged Water/Wastewater Facilities

FlaWARN Best Management Practices Manual – Flood Excerpt

FlaWARN

Obtaining Assistance from State and Federal Agencies

County Emergency Management Organizational Map and Phone Numbers

Florida Dept of Emergency Management