Flood Information

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Floodplain

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals. This is to give notice that the City of North Port, in accordance with Executive Order 11988, Executive Order 11990, and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR Part 6 Subpart B, has conducted the required evaluation of practicable alternatives and potential impacts associated with the proposed Sarasota County Warm Mineral Springs Habitat Restoration Initiative funded under Environmental Protection Agency Grant No. CE02D41623 through Charlotte County/Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership.

The proposed project is located at 12200 San Servando Avenue, North Port, Florida, within mapped floodplain areas identified as Zone AE and shaded Zone X on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Panel No. 12115C0370G, effective March 27, 2024. Portions of the project area also include wetlands.

The project involves habitat restoration activities designed to improve water quality and restore native ecological conditions through removal of invasive plant species, installation of native trees and understory vegetation, and educational signage. Because the project is inherently location-dependent and intended to restore ecological resources existing at this site, alternatives outside the floodplain were evaluated and determined not practicable to achieve the project purpose and need. The no-action alternative and reduced-scope alternatives were also considered but would not adequately meet restoration objectives.

The City of North Port has determined the proposed action is the most practicable alternative. The project is not expected to adversely affect floodplain or wetland values or functions, increase flood risk, alter site hydrology, or reduce flood storage capacity. Activities will be implemented using measures to avoid and minimize impacts, including limiting ground disturbance, using primarily manual restoration methods where practicable, and applying best management practices to protect floodplain and wetland resources.

This notice serves as public explanation of why the proposed action must occur within the floodplain and the measures taken to minimize potential impacts.

Written comments regarding this determination may be submitted to the City of North Port, Attn: Valerie Malingowski, 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port, FL 34286, or via email at vmalingowski@northportfl.gov on or before May 13, 2026.

Date of Publication: April 28, 2026

Early notice: To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals. This is to give notice that the City of North Port in accordance with Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) and EPA’s implementing regulations at 40 CFR Part 6, Subparts A and B, has determined that the following proposed action (Environmental Protection Agency grant No. CE02D41623) under Charlotte County/Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership is located in the floodplain, and City of North Port is identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action.

The proposed project location is 12200 San Servando Avenue, North Port, FL 34287 (27.059938° N, 82.260752° W).  The extent of the floodplain was determined using the 0.2-Percent-Annual-Chance Flood approach. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Map Panel # 12115C0370G effective date March 27, 2024, the project site is within zone AE and shaded X.  Per the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Mapper and site observations, portions of the project area include wetlands. The Sarasota County Warm Mineral Springs Habitat Restoration Initiative will focus on restoring a portion of the approximately 80-acre Warm Mineral Spring habitat area located in North Port, Florida.

The project is designed to improve water quality and restore native habitat conditions within the Warm Mineral Springs Park area. Project activities include the removal of invasive plant species, installation of native trees and understory vegetation, and the placement of educational signage to enhance public awareness of ecological resources. These actions are intended to improve habitat functionality and support long-term ecological resilience within the project area. Work will be conducted using primarily manual methods, however in certain areas, mechanical methods may be the most appropriate and efficient. The proposed work is not expected to result in significant ground disturbance, alteration of site hydrology, or impacts to floodplain storage capacity. The project will not increase flood risk. The proposed work is not expected to result in adverse impacts to floodplain values or functions. Due to the location-specific nature of the environmental resources being restored, the project must occur within the floodplain. Practicable alternatives to locating the project outside of the floodplain were evaluated. Due to the location-specific nature of the ecological resources and restoration objectives, it is expected that no practicable alternative exists outside of the floodplain. Interested parties are invited to submit comments regarding the proposed project, including potential alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain, potential impacts to floodplain values, and measures to avoid or minimize those impacts.

Written comments must be received by the City of North Port at the following address on or before April 25, 2026: City of North Port Attn: Valerie Malingowski, 4970 City Hall Boulevard, North Port FL 34286, or call 941-429-7001. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays at the same address as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at vmalingowski@northportfl.gov  Date: April 10, 2026 (15 day comment period).

July 17 CRS Floodplain Management Virtual Meeting

Aug. 19 CRS Floodplain Management Committee Meeting

Sept. 10 CRS Floodplain Management Committee Meeting

Oct. 28 CRS Floodplain Management Committee Meeting

Nov. 14 CRS Floodplain Management Committee Meeting

Flooding is primarily caused by heavy rains associated with intense summer thunderstorms and tropical systems as well as coastal tropical storm surge. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) shows the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or 100-year floodplain where risk of flooding is increased. The SFHA is located primarily near the Myakkahatchee Creek, along the Myakka River and along the city’s retention ditches and canals. In these areas, floodwaters can cover streets and yards with little warning. Past rain events have flooded major roadways such as Sumter Boulevard, local roads in the North Port Estates, along the Myakkahatchee Creek near I-75 and the Jockey Club. 

• Current FEMA Flood Map
• Elevation Certificates
•  City Stormwater Management
•  City Stormwater Regulations ULDC Chapter 18
•  FloodSmart.gov

Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which allows federally funded flood insurance to be available, even if property has flooded in the past. If a house is flooded without flood insurance, any damage below the waterline will not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are already covered by flood insurance, make sure the policy also covers building contents and the coverage limits are adequate. Remember, even if the last flood missed you or you have done some flood proofing, the next flood may affect you. Flood insurance covers all surface floods, even if a federal disaster is not declared. The City is a participant in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) program.

The City is currently a Class 5 Community in the program which provides property owners within a SFHA a 25% reduction in flood insurance premiums. Additionally, properties within the City that do not lie within the SFHA receive a 5% reduction in their flood insurance premium should they elect such coverage. Contact your insurance agent for additional information on rates and coverage, or if you do not have an insurance agent, contact the NFIP at (800) 427-4661. Please note from the time of flood insurance purchase, there is up to a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect. Financial assistance may be available through grant programs for homeowners who meet the criteria of a repetitive loss building and wish to elevate their building above the flood level. For more information, please visit www.floridadisaster.org.

City staff can perform on-site visits and provide technical assistance to residents who are experiencing problems in areas of flooding and drainage or for those who want recommendations on how to retrofit an existing property. Funding or other financial assistance may be available for elevation and other mitigation activities for flooded properties. Contact our Floodplain Administrator at MClemens@NorthPortFL.gov for more resources. 

Prior to a storm, take measures to protect property from flooding.

• Retrofit buildings with storm shutters and reinforced garage doors.
• Report drainage problems to Public Works Customer Service by using the online portal. 
• Retrofit your property by regrading the property or elevating your house.
• Elevate air handlers, electrical boxes, and water heaters (permits required).
• Position sandbags, unopened bags of soil additive or garden mulch and boarding over structural openings to attempt to divert flood waters (garden mulch is also usable for landscaping after the flood event).

Elevate Florida program is an initiative by the Florida Division of Emergency Management to help qualifying homeowners mitigate their homes from flood risks.

Learn more about Elevate Florida

Floodplain areas are recognized as having an intrinsic value of their own as a part of the interconnected ecosystem and an influential role in increasing a community's quality of life. The recognized benefits of a naturally functioning floodplain include the storage and conveyance of flood waters, the recharging of groundwater, the maintenance of surface water quality and the provision of habitats for fish and wildlife. These areas also provide diverse recreational opportunities, scenic value and a source of community identity and pride. The existing floodplain along the City’s Myakkahatchee Creek, provides a habitat for all forms of fish and wildlife. The City has acquired and continues to acquire much property in this floodplain to preserve the habitat and protect the watershed from pollutants entering the Myakkahatchee Creek, the City’s primary drinking water supply.

Always check with the City’s Building Division of the Neighborhood Development Services Department and the Department of Public Works before you initiate construction activities, alter the grade or place fill on your property. A permit may be needed to verify that projects do not cause impacts to other properties. Please help by reporting illegal floodplain development to the City’s Building Division.