Flooding in Golden Gate (Naples: homeowners insurance, house, buy)

[klucas001]

Hi all-

My husband and I are new to Florida and Naples. We have found a beautiful home to purchase in Golden Gate Estates; however, it is about 40 yards from a very large canal (Golden Gate Main Canal). The canal already seems to be pretty full and flowing and it's only Feb. We are worried about the risk of the canal overflowing and flooding the house. Has there been any recent issues with flooding in the area?? The house is almost directly across from the Hide Out Gold Club.

Any info is much appreciated

[FLBirdwatcher]

By looking on a map, I do not see any canal that would be considered close to the Hide Out Gold Club. There is a canal in the area, but it doesn't look like the property would be on the border of it. Is the home that you are considering elevated at all? Something to consider when purchasing a home in this area is that Cypress trees love water, but Pine trees not so much. If the lot has several Cypress trees you might want to explore a flood map for the area. However, having said that, I have a few Cypress trees (not many) on my lot and have never had flooding issues. I do have a lot of Pine trees though.

[macrodome2]

Try here: https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/

[klucas001]

Originally Posted by FLBirdwatcher

By looking on a map, I do not see any canal that would be considered close to the Hide Out Gold Club. There is a canal in the area, but it doesn't look like the property would be on the border of it. Is the home that you are considering elevated at all? Something to consider when purchasing a home in this area is that Cypress trees love water, but Pine trees not so much. If the lot has several Cypress trees you might want to explore a flood map for the area. However, having said that, I have a few Cypress trees (not many) on my lot and have never had flooding issues. I do have a lot of Pine trees though.

Thanks for the info. The flood maps aren't helpful because all they do is tell you there is a risk, which obviously the whole area is at risk. There is a large canal right next to the gold course, our potential buy is right across from the canal.

[Who Dat]

If I can throw my .02 in here, I think you might be better off with the canal in place. Most of that area is not considered an ecologically sensitive area (like Fiddlers Creek). Meaning that the water overflow run off is designed to run into those canals allowing a quicker draining of the area from excess rain water. Places like FC has to have the water drain back onto the community where it is handled through underground drainage pipes.

Those canals you see are primarily are for the protected wetlands in the area to your North and East. The canals have weirs and control the watershed into the Gulf.

The best way to identify if your potential property floods easily is to look at the trees. If there are Cypress, it has historically been a lower or wet zone (before the canal construction). Pines are indicative of a higher area that usually stays dry.

Hope that helps but I'm sure I forgot something or didn't explain very well.

[motordavid]

https://goo.gl/maps/uxKZa

[renog1rl]

Knowing where you are on FEMA maps helps with assessments and homeowners insurance. Do a little homework and figure out what will work for you. Google is your friend.

[klucas001]

Originally Posted by Who Dat

If I can throw my .02 in here, I think you might be better off with the canal in place. Most of that area is not considered an ecologically sensitive area (like Fiddlers Creek). Meaning that the water overflow run off is designed to run into those canals allowing a quicker draining of the area from excess rain water. Places like FC has to have the water drain back onto the community where it is handled through underground drainage pipes.

Those canals you see are primarily are for the protected wetlands in the area to your North and East. The canals have weirs and control the watershed into the Gulf.

The best way to identify if your potential property floods easily is to look at the trees. If there are Cypress, it has historically been a lower or wet zone (before the canal construction). Pines are indicative of a higher area that usually stays dry.

Hope that helps but I'm sure I forgot something or didn't explain very well.

Thanks, super helpful!!!