Flagler County, FL FAQs

Is Flagler County Florida A Good Place to Live?

Flagler County, FL

Flagler County is located on the northeast coast of Florida. It was founded in 1917, drawing its acreage from parts of Saint Johns and Volusia Counties which are now respectively adjacent north and south of Flagler. Bordered west by Putnam County, Flagler has a total 571 square miles of territory, 485 square miles of which are land and the rest water.

This county was named after Henry Morrison Flagler, the American industrialist who founded Standard Oil and the Florida East Coast Railway as well as one of the prime movers in the development of the U.S. Atlantic Coast. Flagler County has three cites: its county seat Bunnell, its largest, Palm Coast, and Flagler Beach. Also within Flagler’s fold are 13 unincorporated communities.

Intermodal Transportation

The Intracoastal Waterway slices into the eastern portion of Flagler County. It provides a sheltered sea lane for recreational boating as well as freight shipping stretching from Miami to Canada’s St. Lawrence Seaway. Rail freight in the county is run via the Florida East Coast Railway.

The Flagler County Airport services are limited to business and student aviation. Newly renovated, this executive airport provides two runways—one 5,500 feet long and the other at 5,000 feet— plus a 3,000-foot water runway. Nearby commercial airline terminals available to the county’s residents include the international airports of Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, Orlando Sanford and Orlando.

Flagler is truly a desirable destination not only for business locators and would-be residents but also for tourists and vacationers. The county’s Atlantic Ocean beachfront stretches for 18 miles of pristine coastline. It hosts more than 40 parks and preserves that provide extensive, interconnected trails for hiking, biking and paddling.

Nature at Its Best

Visits to the Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches showcase the rare experience of having access to uncrowded shorelines and 125 miles of mangrove-canopied kayak trails. Traversing these waterways, visitors will find a robust ecosystem and a thriving habitat for wading birds and charming marine life like sea turtles, dolphins and even right whales.

Flagler’s close affinity with nature is likewise manifest in the string of citations for the City of Palm Coast as Tree City USA in recognition of its urban forestry program. Notably, the city has won this award from National Arbor Day Foundation for the 13th straight year in 2018.

Palm Coast too is an epitome of the vigorous economic recovery after the Great Recession with the uptick in its building activity, residential and commercial construction permitting, and building permit revenues. The most visible of the uptrend is the redevelopment of the city’s Island Walk Shopping Center anchored on a Publix Supermarket. New Palm Coast businesses are also setting up shop along the State Route 100 corridor.

Given all these positive vibes going for Palm Coast, it thus comes as no surprise that the city, along with Flagler County, has experienced double-digit population growth from 2010 to 2017. Gains in number of residents for both the city and the county were both estimated at a healthy 15 percent clip putting their residents’ count to 86,516 and to 108,310, respectively

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Find Nearby Foreclosures

Central Florida’s unique geology makes it prone to ground collapses. The area sits on porous limestone, formed from ancient sea deposits. This karst landscape dissolves when acidic rainwater flows through, creating underground cavities.

As these cavities grow, the ground above loses support. This can lead to sudden collapses when the ground can’t hold its weight. Building on this land increases risks by changing how water flows and extracting it from underground.

The Florida Geological Survey notes sinkholes are common where limestone is shallow. Maps show these areas are often near cities, where buildings put pressure on the ground. Statewide, some places are more likely to sink slowly or collapse suddenly.

Knowing how the ground works helps us see why some places are riskier. Changes in groundwater, rain, and human actions all affect the stability of limestone areas. It’s important to watch the ground closely and plan land use wisely to reduce these risks.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

In 2023, two major sinkhole cases in Flagler County, Florida, showed the area’s ongoing geological risks. These incidents also showed how local governments and experts handle sudden problems with infrastructure.

A1A Roadway Collapse: July 2023

A huge sinkhole suddenly opened up on State Road A1A near Hammock Dunes Parkway. It was 40 feet wide and forced the closure of the southbound lane. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office started a 72-hour investigation right away.

They used ground-penetrating radar to check the ground’s stability. While repairs were underway, drivers were rerouted through Cypress Edge North and Palm Coast Parkway Southwest.

Cypress Point Parkway Access Closure

In September 2023, the eastern part of Cypress Point Parkway was closed for good due to ongoing ground instability. The data showed:

2.1 inches of soil subsidence each year from 2020
Three emergency repairs were tried in 2021
12 nearby properties are being watched closely

Incident	Duration	Key Agencies	Preventive Measures
A1A Roadway Collapse	14 days (full repair)	Flagler County Sheriff, FDOT	Real-time vibration monitoring
Cypress Point Closure	Permanent	Public Works, Geotech Consultants	Subsurface grouting injections

Both incidents needed teamwork between local teams and private landowners. The Flagler County Public Works Department spent $1.4 million to fix these problems.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Flagler County FL has a high risk of sinkholes due to its porous limestone bedrock and changing water levels. Homeowners can spot problems with seven signs: cracks in foundations over 1/4 inch, doors and windows that won’t close, and water pooling in yards. Other signs include circular depressions, tilting trees or fences, sediment in water, and changes in well levels.

If you see these signs, call licensed geotechnical engineers for soil tests right away. Florida law requires insurers to cover sinkhole damage, so you need a professional to document the damage. The Stormwater Department’s monitoring near Cypress Point Parkway shows how early action can prevent big problems.

Homeowners must file sinkhole claims within two years of noticing the damage. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection suggests checking your property every three months. They also warn against filling in depressions without expert advice. Companies like Ground Engineering Inc. and Terracon offer free evaluations for sinkhole cases in Flagler County through the FDEP’s Geotechnical Assistance Program (386-329-4574).

To lower the risk of sinkholes, keep downspouts away from your foundation and use consistent watering. These steps help prevent soil erosion.

FAQ

Why is Flagler County particularl prone to sinkhole formation?

Flagler County’s geology has carbonate rock formations that water can get into. This causes the rock to dissolve and creates holes. The high water table in Florida makes these holes more likely to collapse. The Florida Geological Survey has maps showing where sinkholes are most common.

What were the most significant sinkhole incidents in Flagler County during 2023?

In 2023, Flagler County saw two big sinkhole events. The first was a collapse on A1A that closed some lanes. The Sheriff’s Office looked into it. The second was Cypress Point Parkway being shut down for good after years of watching it.Both incidents showed how the county handles these problems. They rerouted traffic using Cypress Edge North and Palm Coast Parkway Southwest.

What warning signs indicate possible sinkhole activity on residential properties?

Look out for seven signs. These include cracks in the foundation over 1/4 inch, sudden changes in water levels, and sediment in water. Also, if doors and windows won’t close, or you see circular depressions in the ground.Exposing bedrock and neighbors talking about sinkholes are also signs. If you see any of these, call the Flagler County Stormwater Department right away.

How does Flagler County respond to sinkhole-related infrastructure damage?

The county works together with Public Works, the Sheriff’s Office, and property owners. They check if roads need to be closed and use special tools to look at the ground.They also find new ways for traffic to go. For example, Cypress Point Parkway was closed for good after three years of watching it.

What legal obligations exist for sinkhole damage coverage in Flagler County?

Florida law says insurance companies must cover sinkhole damage under certain conditions. This includes damage that makes a house uninhabitable, government condemnation, and visible sinkholes.Homeowners should check with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and approved firms for what they need to document.

How long do sinkhole-related road closures typically last in Flagler County?

How long a road is closed depends on the damage. The A1A collapse took 11 days to fix. Cypress Point Parkway was closed forever after it was confirmed it couldn’t be fixed.Usually, closures last 7-14 days for tests to see if there’s a problem.

Sinkholes in Flagler County, FL | Florida Sinkholes