Prepare ahead and make a flood emergency plan today. Visit the National Water Service page dedicated to this topic.
-Sabrina Robertson
Public Information Officer
Welcome to beautiful Nassau County, located in the northeast corner of Florida along the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate 95. We are proud to serve as the Eastern Gateway to the Sunshine State. From our historic island, sandy beaches, and championship golf courses to our scenic rivers, green pastures, and majestic timberlands, we truly offer something for everyone.
3/8/23 @ 10:00 a.m. - Stay safe. Intense or excessive rainfall can overtop canals and ditches, flooding streets. Remember to turn around, don't drown! Driving through flooded streets can stall your car and cause wave action to move structures along the road.
Prepare ahead and make a flood emergency plan today. Visit the National Water Service page dedicated to this topic. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer
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![]() 3/7/23 @ 9:15 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage. DAY TWO: FLOOD INSURANCE Flood insurance is available to everyone, regardless of whether you rent, own or have a business, and it's even available if you are not in mapped floodplain. Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of water can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both. It's up to you to ensure you have a policy in place to protect your assets. Learn more at www.fema.gov/flood-insurance. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer ![]() 3/6/23 @ 11:40 a.m. - It's Flood Awareness Week in Nassau County, Florida. Each day, we will share a tip on protecting yourself and your property from flood damage. DAY ONE: KNOW YOUR HAZARD Did you know that many areas in Nassau County are prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? Property owners need to know their flood risk. This can be found at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home or https://maps.nassauflpa.com/portal/apps/sites/?fromEdit=true#/mapgallery Maximize your flood preparedness and recovery by visiting FEMAs Know Your Risk webpage which provides specific information for homeowners, renters, and business owners including information on resiliency and activities to help reduce your risk. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer ![]() 3/3/23 @ 11:30 a.m. - At the Monday, February 27th meeting, the Board approved Resolution No. 2023-012, proclaiming the second week in March as Flood Awareness Week. This week has also been designated by the Florida Floodplain Managers Association to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk, the availability of flood insurance, flood protection methods, and how to prepare for emergencies. Nassau County is a voluntary member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through purchase of flood insurance at discounted rates. As part of the NFIP, the Community Rating System Program recognizes counties that undertake floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum floodplain requirements. Since joining the NFIP in May 2017, Nassau County has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for additional premium reductions for property owners in the unincorporated areas of Nassau County. In order to improve ratings, the County has increased its efforts to provide information to the community by maintaining flood maps, improving flood regulations, and ensuring flood preparedness. These efforts paid off greatly because in October 2022, Nassau County was able to increase its rating from a Class 8 which allowed residents to enjoy a 10% discount to a Class 7, allowing residents to enjoy a 15% discount! A lot of credit is given to Nassau County's CRS Coordinator, Naomi Braff, as she works tirelessly to engage in CRS credited activities and is committed to floodplain management. We appreciate Naomi and all she does for Nassau County and its residents. Stay tuned next week during Flood Awareness Week as we provide you with daily tips to protect yourselves and your property from flood damage. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer 2/9/23 @ 9:15 a.m. - Earlier this year, the Association of State Floodplain Managers built the Reduce Flood Risk website to assist property owners in reducing flood risks. The website allows you to access information tailored to your situation and needs. By answering a series of questions, Reduce Flood Risk can help you identify strategies most likely to protect your home or business from flooding in the future. Below is a quick demonstration video which shows you how to navigate the site. Stay tuned in March for additional tips as we recognize Flood Awareness Week. #ReduceFloodRisk -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer 1/25/23 @ 4:40 p.m. - The Board of County Commissioners has received an Award of Excellence for Culture and Historic Preservation for the American Beach Community Master Plan. Since 2018, the County has worked hard to design a plan to enhance the community while maintaining its unique history and culture. The scope of work included extensive community engagement including public meetings with property owners, public workshops, and interviews with stakeholders. The needs and priorities identified through the outreach efforts were then used to develop the final master plan which includes protection of the beach and dunes, as well as the history of the community. The plan also includes enhancements for the community such as water/sewer lines, street lighting, paved streets and sidewalks, and preservation of historic structures such as the Evans Rendezvous.
Seeing all the efforts put forth, the Northeast Florida Regional Council selected the County for this prestigious award. The Board was then recognized at their Awards Luncheon held on January 5, 2023. The Northeast Florida Regional Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Beth Payne, stated, “The Northeast Florida Regional Council is happy to recognize Nassau County’s outstanding efforts to preserve a piece of Northeast Florida history. American Beach is one of our area’s hidden gems and it is the Council’s pleasure to recognize the work done by the County, it’s staff and volunteers to continually engage the residents of American Beach and work together to safeguard the cultural history, as well as the future of the American Beach community." Interim Planning Director/Economic Resources Coordinator, Holly Coyle, stated, “The American Beach Master Plan captures the essence of American Beach by protecting the sense of place, honoring the rich cultural heritage of the community, and authentically telling the story of American Beach through the built and natural environment. Through an extensive public engagement process, the community identified its needs and priorities and created a list of recommendations to achieve their final vision. Among those recommendations were the installation of public water and sanitary sewer; the paving and resurfacing of roadways; re-evaluation of The Crossroads; and the expansion of the A. L. Lewis Museum. We are honored to have been selected for this award and look forward to bringing this initiative to fruition.” To view the Northeast Florida Regional Council's Press Release regarding the 2023 Awards, please click here. If you have any questions related to the American Beach Community Master Plan, please visit https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/990/American-Beach-Neighborhood-Planning or contact the Planning Department at (904) 530-6300. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Office ![]() 12/16/22 @ 10:30 a.m. - At the Monday, December 12th meeting, Senior Planner, Josh Macbeth, provided an update to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan. This Plan was the result of a two-year intensive planning effort that included an in-depth analysis of history, culture, growth trends, land uses, economic development, visual quality, and environmental impacts along the SR200 corridor. The Plan was prepared in consultation with the Community Services Group, a division of GAI Consultants. The purpose and intent of the plan was to craft a vision for the corridor as a multi-functional, safe, and sustainable community in which people can live, work, and play. The concepts in the SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan emerged with the support of Nassau County residents, property owners, business operators, and county officials. The plan charts a path toward the future that is livable, sustainable, and economically vital, and is guided by five planning priorities: Nurture Nature Maintain, enhance, and extend the natural environment by creating opportunities for residents to access and enjoy Florida’s unique natural areas. Grow Sustainably Help stage vibrant shopping center and neighborhood growth through development that creates places for people, supports local businesses and generates additional jobs, encourages an active lifestyle, and comprises a mix of housing options. Connect Communities Improve linkages between neighborhoods, shopping centers, and amenities through a network of slow, safe, and livable primary and secondary streets, trails, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure. Catalyze Culture Build on heritage while establishing new cultural assets that celebrate community creativity and identity in the public realm. Future Proof Prepare for a future by looking ahead to build a resilient community in the face of growing climate concern and technological advancements. The SR200/A1A Corridor Master Plan was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on December 13, 2021, via Resolution No. 2021-214. Per the Resolution, staff was to provide an update to the Board with 12 months of adoption regarding amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code that are necessary for implementation of the Plan. The adopted Plan can be located on the County's website. To view the presentation, please click here. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer 12/1/22 @ 10:00 a.m.
Nassau County has received a State-wide Award of Merit in the Neighborhood Planning category from the American Planning Association, Florida Chapter for its Timber to Tides Initiative [State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan]. This is now the 2nd State-wide award and 3rd overall award the County has received for the Initiative. The Timber to Tides Initiative is the culmination of extensive public engagement and application of best practices to re-envision what the State Road 200/A1A Corridor from Police Lodge Road to the Amelia River has the potential to become over the coming decades and then produce a realistic, obtainable, and incremental Action Plan that sets the community on an evolutionary course to reach their defined vision and goals. The results were not only uplifting and transformational, they were reasonable and obtainable! The Timber to Tides Initiative is centered on five planning priorities: 1. Nurture Nature: Maintain, enhance, and extend the natural environment by creating opportunities for residents to access and enjoy Florida’s unique natural areas 2. Grow Sustainably: Help stage vibrant shopping center and neighborhood growth through development that creates places for people, supports local businesses and generates additional jobs, encourages an active lifestyle, and comprises a mix of housing options. 3. Connect Communities: Improve linkages between neighborhoods, shopping centers, and amenities through a network of slow, safe, and livable primary and secondary streets, trails, bike paths, and pedestrian infrastructure 4. Catalyze Culture: Build on heritage while establishing new cultural assets that celebrate community creativity and identity in the public realm. 5. Future Proof: Prepare for a future by looking ahead to build a resilient community in the face of growing climate concern and technological advancements Melissa Zornitta, the American Planning Association Florida Project Awards Chair stated, “The Master Plan was a complete envisioning of a new future for this important community corridor; the committee was impressed by the ability to overcome the challenges of Covid-19 in the community outreach and the thorough approach to addressing future issues along the corridor such as view sheds, multi-modal transportation and the need for mixed use nodes.” Taco Pope, County Manager and life-long resident stated, “This is our home, it's where we, as a collective community, have chosen to invest our time, effort, and resources to build a life. Nassau County is what we, as a collective community, make it. We have an opportunity to define a resilient, sustainable, and people-centric future that prioritizes quality-of-life and quality-of-place. While it may seem a daunting task, a collective community moving in a unified direction can be the catalyst for generational change. The future is bright for Nassau.” The Board of County Commissioner adopted the Timber to Tides Initiative [State Road 200/A1A Corridor Master Plan] vision + planning priorities document and action plan on December 13, 2021 and directed County to staff to move forward with implementation. The referenced document can be found at https://bit.ly/SR200MasterPlan. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer ![]() 10/28/22 @ 11:50 a.m. At the American Planning Association’s Florida Chapter Conference held in Orlando this past August, Nassau County received a State-wide ‘Award of Excellence’ in the Best Practices category for the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROSMP). The Nassau County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan (PROSMP) represents a fundamental shift in how public and private recreation demands are addressed from a county-wide perspective. The PROSMP couples traditional planning and design principles with progressive regulatory standards that treat parks as essential infrastructure similar to electricity, water, and streets. This shift in local public policy has charted a course for developing and maintaining a fiscally sustainable parks system that is representative of all citizens. County Manager, Taco Pope, AICP, stated, “It is a great honor for the County to receive an Award of Excellence from the American Planning Association. It’s an even greater honor to play a small part in facilitating public policy that will improve the quality-of-life for residents of Nassau County for generations to come”. The annual award for Best Practices from the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association is given to a project or program that represents “…a significant advancement to specific elements of planning. This category emphasizes results and demonstrates how innovative and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices helped to implement a plan”. While Nassau County has received several regional and state-wide community planning awards over the past few years, this particular award is Nassau County’s first state-wide ‘Award of Excellence’. The distinction as an ‘Award of Excellence’ indicates that the review panel for the American Planning Association found Nassau County’s PROSMP to be innovative, of superior quality, and transferable to other communities. Information on the Nassau County PROSMP and implementing legislation can be found at https://bit.ly/NassauCountyPROSMP. A special thanks to the late Dr. David Barth for all his hard work and efforts. He was instrumental in creating a plan that will serve the residents and future generations for years to come. We encourage residents to view a 2-minute project spotlight/video that highlights the project and recognizes Dr. Barth posthumously on this outstanding achievement. The video can be found on our YouTube Channel at https://bit.ly/VideoPROSMP. -Sabrina Robertson Public Information Officer ![]() 10/5/22 @ 10:15 a.m. The Board is excited to announce that the County has once again received an improvement in its Classification in the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Nassau County joined the program in May 2017 and since that time has worked hard to improve its rating to allow for a reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners within the unincorporated areas of the County. Flood insurance premiums are set nationally based on the age of structure, building materials and level of risk. However, communities that volunteer to adopt and enforce stricter ordinances, known as “Higher Standards,” to reduce flood risk can enroll in the CRS Program to earn insurance premium discounts for their residents. In order to maintain and/or improve CRS Ratings, the County earns “credits” for its efforts in providing information to the public, maintaining current flood maps, improving flood regulations to reduce the possibility of flood damage, and ensuring flood preparedness. Based on total credits earned, communities are assigned a CRS Classification which determines the percentage of discounts given to property owners. Nassau County’s previous CRS Rating was a Class 8 which allowed County residents to enjoy a 10% premium reduction for flood insurance with an overall cost savings of $176,000 for the residents. However, during the most recent cycle verification, the County was notified that its efforts have now achieved enough points to move them to a Class 7 CRS Rating, allowing residents to benefit from a 15% premium reduction with an overall cost savings of $232,000 to property owners with a flood insurance policy. County Manager, Taco Pope, stated, “With the threat of increase to property insurance premiums throughout the country, the Board is happy to do what it can to provide relief to property owners within Nassau County. Special acknowledgment is given to our floodplain experts in the County’s Building and Planning Departments who work year-round to provide flood information to the public through community outreach events and to conduct other initiatives to increase its credits. We also appreciate the guidance provided by our consultants of Oceania Flood Services. Thanks to all their hard work, our residents will continue to enjoy reduced flood insurance premiums. We will continue these efforts in hopes to improve our rating again during the next cycle verification.” For information on the CRS Program, visit FEMA’s website at: https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management/community-rating-system. |
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