Flagler County named 'Tsunami Ready' by National Weather Service; officials tout preparedness and flood‑insurance benefits

Flagler County received an official 'tsunami ready' designation from the National Weather Service during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Aug. 3, 2026. Angie Niedi, warning coordination meteorologist with the local NWS office, said the designation recognizes the county's hazard mapping, evacuation routes, planning and public outreach work.

"Today we officially congratulate Flagler County for not only maintaining its status as a storm ready community, but also expanding their community readiness to become tsunami ready," Niedi said in the meeting. She noted that earning the designation required meeting national criteria including mapping tsunami hazard zones, designating evacuation routes, and carrying out community training and signage.

County emergency staff said the status could yield administrative benefits. Jonathan Kelly and the emergency management team explained that the new designation adds points to the county's Community Rating System score, which may help lower flood insurance rates for some residents. Kelly said the county has already begun installing signage and conducting outreach in advance of the designation, and staff will assist municipalities that wish to adopt the same measures to secure credit under NFIP programs.

The commission recognized emergency management staff at the meeting for the designation and asked staff to continue outreach and to explain specific implications for local flood insurance categories in upcoming briefings. No formal board action beyond the recognition was taken.