When your home is in a floodplain or area subject to hurricanes or potential flooding, homeowners may decide to:
1) move to a different house in another location outside the risk area,
2) relocate the house to a location outside the floodplain or risk area, or
3) elevate the house above flood heights or take other action to prevent or reduce the potential of flood damage.
There are some things you can do through structure reinforcement, wet flood proofing, and choice of materials that may reduce the damage from flooding, wind, or water surges. Repairing damage from a previous flood presents numerous opportunities for enhancing a home's flood resistance.
Be sure to check out the National Flood Insurance Program by contacting FEMA at www.fema.gov/business/nfip/ or your area or state Emergency Management Agency before making any decisions.
If you have national flood insurance, regulations must be considered. It is important to contact local zoning and code offices and the local or area Emergency Management Agency as well as housing professionals and construction engineers when considering these alternatives. Specific codes and requirements are in place by the National Flood Insurance Program and must be met.
