A protected home is a place which is able to withstand the various hazards that might impact that place. We call it Hazard Mitigation which is a complicated phrase meant to convey a pretty simple thought. Hazard mitigation is taking action now – before the next disaster – to reduce human and financial costs later. Though it sounds complicated, hazard mitigation – reducing the impacts of hazards like floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural events – doesn’t have to be complicated or cost a lot of money. There are many ways to reduce our exposure to losses.

• Determine the floor elevation relative to local flood predictions.
• Protect against high winds by installing storm shutters and reinforcing garage doors.
• The best way to protect your home is through the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Thousands of homeowners thought it would never happen to them.  Don’t be one of those homeowners.

Design Considerations in Floodproofing

Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your Home

1. Elevation – Raising your home so that the lowest floor or lowest horizontal member is at or above the regulated flood level. You can accomplish this in several ways. (Chapter 5) 
2. Relocation - Moving your home to higher ground where it will reduce the exposure to flooding. (Chapter 6)
3. Demolition – Tearing down your damaged home and either rebuilding on the same property or buying or building a home elsewhere. (Chapter 6)
4. Wet Floodproofing – Making portions of your home resistant to flood damage and allowing water to enter during flooding. (Chapter 7)
5. Dry Floodproofing  – Sealing your home to prevent floodwaters from entering. (Chapter 7)
6. Barrier Systems – Building a floodwall or levee around your home to restrain floodwaters. (Chapter 8)