Protecting Your Property From Flooding
Anywhere it rains, it can flood — and flooding can happen anywhere in the Village of Estero, regardless of your flood zone. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your home, property, and family.
Flood protection involves regular maintenance, property improvements, and emergency preparedness. Even small actions can greatly reduce the risk of costly flood damage.
Jump to: Inspect | Retrofit | Landscaping | Emergency Protection
Regularly Inspect and Maintain Your Home and Property
Routine inspection and maintenance are the first lines of defense against flooding and water damage.
Keep Drainage Systems Clear
- Inspect and clean storm drains near your home, especially before and after storms.
- Remember: Only Rain Down the Drain. Never dispose of yard debris, trash, or chemicals in storm drains.
- It is illegal to dump waste into streets, storm drains, or waterways anywhere in Estero.
Repair Surfaces and Structures
- Fix sidewalks, patios, decks, or driveways that have settled or shifted, which can cause water to pool near your home.
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and wires to prevent seepage during heavy rain.
- Regularly inspect doors, windows, and foundation walls for signs of water intrusion.
Maintain Roofs, Gutters, and Drainage Paths
- Inspect and clear gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure water flows away from your home.
- Repair or replace roofing materials—such as shingles—if they are deteriorating, cracked, or missing.
- Ensure gutters discharge water away from your foundation using splash pads or extensions.
- Direct runoff toward lawns or gardens, not onto driveways or neighboring properties.
Secure Outdoor Items
- Anchor or store yard furniture, grills, planters, and trash bins before a storm.
Unsecured items can be swept away or cause damage if carried by floodwaters.
Retrofit Your Property to Reduce Flood Risk
Retrofitting refers to making modifications that strengthen your property’s flood resilience. Many improvements can be implemented in existing homes and may reduce insurance premiums under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Elevate Utilities and Equipment
Raise or relocate HVAC systems, hot water heaters, electrical panels, and appliances above expected flood levels.
Install electrical outlets and switches higher on walls to reduce flood exposure.
Install Backflow Prevention Devices
Add sewer backflow valves (such as flap or backwater valves) to prevent wastewater from entering your home during flooding or when the public system is overwhelmed.
Use Flood-Resistant Materials
- Choose flood-resistant drywall, insulation, and flooring materials in lower levels or basements.
- Replace carpeting with ceramic tile or sealed concrete in areas below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Improve Structural Protection
- Install flood vents in foundation walls, garages, and crawl spaces to allow water to flow through rather than build pressure.
- Apply sealants and waterproof coatings to exterior walls and foundations.
Manage Water Flow Around the Home
- Extend downspouts away from your home and into vegetated areas.
- Install a sump pump with a battery backup in flood-prone basements or crawl spaces.
Improve Your Landscaping to Manage Floodwater
Strategic landscaping can prevent flooding, erosion, and water damage while improving curb appeal and environmental health.
Add Natural Water Management Features
- Create a rain garden with native Florida plants to capture and absorb runoff. Native species need less water and fertilizer while improving water quality.
- Install rain barrels to collect and reuse rainwater from roof downspouts for irrigation.
- Add vegetative buffers—native shrubs and grasses—along the property’s edge to filter pollutants and slow floodwater.
Regrade and Drain Effectively
- Grade soil away from your home to direct water toward streets, swales, or designated drainage areas.
- Consider installing French drains or shallow swales to collect and channel runoff.
Incorporate Permeable Materials
- Use permeable pavers, gravel, or porous concrete instead of solid pavement to allow rainwater to infiltrate naturally.
Manage Yard Waste Properly
- Never sweep or blow grass clippings, dirt, or leaves into the street or storm drains.
- Either compost yard debris, bag it for collection, or blow leaves back into your yard to act as natural fertilizer.
- Keeping the curb and street clear helps prevent clogged drains during storms.
Community-Friendly Drainage
- If possible, construct shallow swales along your property perimeter to help redirect water away from your home and neighboring properties.
Emergency Flood Protection Measures
When a flood or major storm is forecast, take quick action to reduce potential damage.
Before and During a Flood Event
- Place sandbags or plastic sheeting in front of doors, garages, and other low openings.
- Move furniture, electronics, and important documents to higher floors or elevated areas.
- Seal sewer lines or floor drains in basements or garages to prevent backflow.
- Create floodway openings in non-habitable areas (like garages) to allow water to pass through without causing structural damage.
- Shut off utilities (electricity, gas, and water) if instructed by authorities or if flooding is imminent.
After the Flood
- Do not enter flooded areas until it is safe to do so.
- Contact your insurance provider and document all damages with photos or video.
- Avoid driving through standing water — “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
Every Action Counts
- Flood risk cannot be completely eliminated, but proactive property maintenance, floodproofing, and landscaping improvements can significantly reduce damage and recovery costs.
- By taking small, consistent steps today, you help protect not only your home but also your neighbors, the environment, and the overall resilience of the Village of Estero.