A question about PSL (Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie: real estate, city hall, insurance)

[izannimda]

Hello

I’m currently looking into buying a condo in Port St. Lucie for my mom as a retirement home. We are in NJ (okay, you can stop laughing now ), and don’t really know much about FLA other then from vacationing there. Here is the situation. The condo is on the first floor. I was wondering if this was an issue regarding hurricanes and flooding. Is Port St. Lucie a flood zone? Is this something that should be of concern? I’d love to hear from people especially in the Port St. Lucie area. Thank you in advance.

[stevep111]

It all depends on the zone your in. I would call city hall and ask. They have an engineer that can tell you. Another good indicator is about a year and a half ago PSL had a big flood from a Tropical system. You can check with people in the area to see if the neighborhood flooded. Make sure you get your FEMA flood insurance.

I think this is the link to the department you need to contact. If not they will tell you who to contact. Engineering | City of Port St. Lucie, Florida (http://www.cityofpsl.com/engineering/engineering.html - broken link)

[CrowGirl]

Here is another useful like to the county's emergency operations center. In the lower right hand corner is a link to the storm surge map. As you would expect the risk goes up the closer you get to the ocean, but as Steve noted, Tropical Storm Fay caused pretty widespread flooding throughout the area.

St Lucie County Florida Online || Emergency Operations Center - Department of Public Safety

[izannimda]

Thank you both for your responses. I did contact PSL City Hall, and they were very helpful with my inquiries.

[Galagaone]

Originally Posted by izannimda

Hello

I’m currently looking into buying a condo in Port St. Lucie for my mom as a retirement home. We are in NJ (okay, you can stop laughing now ), and don’t really know much about FLA other then from vacationing there. Here is the situation. The condo is on the first floor. I was wondering if this was an issue regarding hurricanes and flooding. Is Port St. Lucie a flood zone? Is this something that should be of concern? I’d love to hear from people especially in the Port St. Lucie area. Thank you in advance.

I've lived here for 22 years and the flooding has gotten continually worse as time has gone on. They (whoever they are) say most of Florida will be swamped by 2100. So, I'm not sure I'd buy anything here. Of course, real estate agents and those desperate to sell will have you believe different. 90 years is a long way off and anything can happen of course...

[izannimda]

Hi Galagaone

I was told in so many words or less that the entire state of FLA is flat,and prone to flooding (some parts more then others). Interestingly, the condo I was inquiring about was not listed in a flood zone as per town hall. However, I think I'm going to reconsider, and focuss only on properties, which are not located on the first floor.

[FlaLadyB]

Call your insurance company- they are the ones who have all the flood maps. If your company does not or can not cover Florida then call a local insurance company here - an A1 rated insurance company and get several quotes.

I advise ALL my clients to get flood insurance NO MATTER WHAT...especially if she is living on a first floor.

I have seen the rain come in SIDEWAYS and make a fountain at the corners of the sliders - it was that hard! If the water backs up in the drains, as is often the case since they get clogged with dirt and such, where else does it have to go?

Good luck with her move!