www.orangecountyfl.
net
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
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~~~~' [?&©U Sheet
Orange County Public Works Department· 4200 S. John Young Parkway • Orlando, Florida 32839
Ten Ways To Help Prevent Flooding In Your Neighborhood
1. Do not dump household 6. Ensure drainage structures remain clean & clear.
waste into streams, ditches, Drainage structures help keep your environment free of
ponds or stormwater pipes. flooding in your subdivision or home area. If you notice
Common household waste debris buildup, ALWAYS contact your homeowner's
such as grease and paper items association or Orange County to alert them to the problem.
can accumulate and clog our Regular maintenance ensures the system functions properly to
stormwater pipes and ditches decrease flooding.
and decrease the effectiveness
and introduce pollution to our streams and ditches. 7. Report Illegal Dumping.
Improper disposal of
2. Do not block pipes and household items pollutes our
inlets. Blocking inlets and environment and can directly
pipes with concrete, blocks, affect flooding. Please report
sandbags, or rocks eliminates any illegal dumping to the
the ability of the structures to proper authorities.
remove water runoff from a site
and as a result, flooding occurs. 8. Keep trash and recycle bins off curb. Winds can blow
loose trash and empty containers onto the curb and into
3. Do not place large trash items in ditches and ponds. inlets. Keeping trash and recycle bins off the curb decreases
Properly disposing of car parts, tires, and old furniture ensures the chance of unwanted items finding their way into the
they can not reduce the ability of ditches and ponds to treat stormwater system and causing flooding.
and remove water runoff. It also ensures our water stays free
of pollution. 9. Make sure the ground
slopes away from your
4. Do not develop or improve Hood hazard areas. Flood home. Land within ten feet of
hazard areas are historically known areas that accumulate large your home should slope away
rainfalls and helps keep other areas free of flooding. Filling, from your house. This ensures
grading or any construction in flood hazard areas can decrease your home has a good chance
its ability to function as a natural barrier against flooding. of not being damaged due to
localized flooding.
5. Do not blow grass clippings into the street. Grass
clippings can wash down 10. Don't fill in swales and
the storm inlets and clog the ditches on your property.
pipes, preventing water from Drainage swales and ditches
moving through the system. convey ground water away
Grass clippings are a great your home or from roads.
natural fertilizer and should be Filling in these depressed areas
blown onto your lawn. eliminates their ability to
effectively reduce flooding.
PUBLIC WORKS . .. ENGINEERING THE FUTURE OF ORANGE COUNTY • QUESTIONS? CALL 377 8/2011
