Managing flood risk is a shared responsibility among the County and its residents. You can take steps to protect yourself and property from flooding.

• Learn about permits. Any alteration to a building or land, including re-grading, filling or modifying a sewer line, requires a permit. For more information, visit Site Development, Land Development Service.
• Clean home gutters regularly, especially during leaf fall season​.
• Clean outdoor drains. Exterior drains in a basement walkout area must be kept clear of leaves and debris to prevent flooding.
• Add downspout extensions. Each building downspout should have an extension hose that extends at least 5 feet from the building foundation. Do not direct water from downspouts onto neighboring properties.
• Clear storm drains. Keep storm drains and street gutters on your street clear of debris or piles of leaves or snow.​
• Install covers for basement window wells. If you have basement windows, install window well covers to keep rainwater out of these areas​.
• Do not block stormflow with fencing. When considering fencing for your yard, check rainwater flow paths. If the fence will block the flow, choose fencing that is open at the bottom (such as chain link) to allow water to flow through it to prevent ponding in your yard.​

It is commonly stated that water follows the path of least resistance; however, it is more accurate to state that water follows the “most available” path of least resistance. The stormwater pipe system, inlets, ditches and channels are intended to collect and convey rainwater runoff from common storms. During larger and less common storms such as isolated cloud bursts and hurricanes, these systems can become overwhelmed and seek other available paths. As runoff looks for these available paths it first fills in the low-lying areas such as sumps or depressions and floodplains. The path the water takes to get to these low-lying areas is called the overland relief path. As runoff collects in the lower portions of a drainage area the volume of water increases and even more room in the overland flow path is needed for the runoff.

Your property may not be in a valley or even the lowest area of your neighborhood, but all it takes is for an opening in your home to be lower than the depth of the water in the overland relief path for your home to be at risk of flooding. During the next big rainfall, check to see how water flows around your home. Make room for the runoff by keeping flow paths clear of fences, planting beds, sheds, and other obstructions that could block the stormwater and cause ponding or flooding.