The annual Atlantic hurricane season begins on Saturday, June 1, and it is important for all of us living in Florida to begin preparing and taking proactive steps to help support flood control in our communities.

South Florida has an interconnected drainage system, and flood control in South Florida is a shared responsibility between the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), county and city governments, local drainage districts, HOAs, and residents.

The SFWMD works year-round to ensure the regional flood control system is ready for whatever nature may send our way this season. This primary system of canals and natural waterways connects to community drainage districts and hundreds of smaller neighborhood systems to effectively manage floodwaters during heavy rain.

Did you know there are many precautions that residents can take to prepare their homes for hurricane season and help reduce the risk of flooding in their communities? These proactive measures include:

• Make sure drainage gates, ditches and swales in your neighborhood are clear of debris.
• Trim your trees and remove dead vegetation in your yard. Do not trim trees if a major storm is in the forecast.
• Check your community retention pond or lake for obstructed pipes and contact the appropriate authority for removal (could be your HOA, city, county, or local drainage district).
• Find out who is responsible for drainage in your community. Visit SFWMD.gov/FloodControl.

SFWMD continuously monitors weather conditions and forecasts, making necessary operational adjustments in advance of and in response to rainfall. If a storm approaches the region, SFWMD water managers and field station staff may take a range of steps to ensure the primary system can receive rainwater from local drainage systems. You may see canals or lakes lower than normal before storms as water managers temporarily “draw down” the system to create more room for anticipated stormwater.

Since local governments, drainage districts, and HOAs are primarily responsible for drainage in your community, we also encourage them to ensure their pumps and systems are routinely tested and ready to handle storm events.

Learn more about what to expect in your neighborhood when it rains and the steps you can take to prepare for hurricane season.