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Flood Preparedness on the Gulf Coast: What Every Orange Beach and Ono Island Homeowner Should Know
By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
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Living along the Gulf Coast means embracing the water—its beauty, its rhythm, and sometimes, its challenges. Whether you own a home in Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ or on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/, understanding how to prepare for potential flooding is an essential part of coastal living.
The Baldwin County Building Department recently sent letters reminding property owners that areas like ours have experienced multiple flood events and claims filed with FEMA. As part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS), Baldwin County helps reduce flood losses and offers discounts on flood insurance premiums.
Understanding Your Flood Risk
Flooding can happen anywhere—but coastal homeowners are particularly vulnerable due to heavy rainfall, tropical systems, and our proximity to bays, rivers, and the Gulf. Hurricane Sally in 2020 and the April 2025 flash floods are recent reminders of how quickly rising water can impact homes and roads in Orange Beach, Daphne, and beyond.
Before the next storm, visit msc.fema.gov to check your property’s flood zone. Knowing your risk helps you make informed decisions about insurance coverage and flood mitigation.
How to Prepare Before the Water Rises
Over my 20 years in real estate, I’ve seen firsthand how a few simple steps can make all the difference. Here’s what I recommend:
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Turn off your utilities safely. Learn how to shut off your electricity and gas. Label your breaker box so circuits in flood-prone areas can be cut quickly.
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Protect valuables and paperwork. Store insurance documents, prescriptions, and irreplaceable items in waterproof containers.
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Create a home inventory. Keep digital copies of your property photos and insurance records—this will simplify claims later.
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Have a plan. Visit redcross.org for emergency plan templates and share your safe evacuation location with neighbors and contacts.
Start your emergency plan now—don’t wait for rising water.
Protect Your Home with Simple Fixes
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Seal low entry points. Close gaps around basement windows, vents, and stairwells to reduce water intrusion.
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Keep cleaning supplies, boots, and a camera handy. Documenting damage quickly helps with insurance claims.
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Label key systems. Make sure you and others know where breakers, valves, and emergency shutoffs are located.
Even small improvements can prevent major losses when water levels rise unexpectedly.
Long-Term Protection: Think Resilience
If you’re building or renovating a new construction home — https://www.searchthegulf.com/onoconstruction/, consider flood-resistant design choices:
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Elevate your home or key utilities above base flood elevation.
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Install sewer backup valves, floor drain plugs, or overhead sewers.
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Always check with the Baldwin County Building Department before starting work to confirm whether permits are required.
FEMA’s online floodproofing and retrofitting guides at fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources provide great visual examples and cost breakdowns. Investing in resilience now can save thousands of dollars in future repairs.
Financial Assistance and Flood Insurance
If your home sustains significant flood damage, you may qualify for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage through NFIP—providing up to $30,000 to elevate, relocate, or rebuild.
Keep in mind:
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NFIP flood policies usually have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.
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Most standard homeowner policies do not cover flood damage.
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Baldwin County residents receive discounted NFIP premiums thanks to the CRS program.
One inch of water can cause thousands in damage—so don’t wait to secure protection.
Final Thoughts
As a homeowner on Ono Island and Gulf Coast real estate advisor, I’ve learned that preparedness is peace of mind. Each small step—whether labeling circuit breakers, sealing low points, or reviewing your flood insurance—helps protect your investment and your sense of security.
If you’d like to discuss how flood zones may impact your next real estate purchase or home build, I’m always happy to help navigate the process.
Visit www.searchthegulf.com — the Gulf Coast’s premier website for searching all real estate listings on the Gulf Coast.
When it comes to finding the home of your dreams in a fast-paced market, knowing about new listings as soon as they are available is part of our competitive advantage.Sign up to see new listings in an area or specific community. Contact Meredith with any questions you may have.
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