Is any property safe from flooding? According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) home flooding protection brochure, “Anywhere it can rain, it can flood – so we all live in a flood zone, and we all live with the risk of flood damage to our property.” The brochure includes advice on how to reduce the flooding risks in your home. A few highlights are listed below, but click here to read all the details.
- Maintain proper water runoff and drainage—Make cleaning downspouts and gutters a regular part of home maintenance.
- Improve lot grading—Observe where rainwater puddles during storms and consider building up sunken areas so water flows away from the house in every direction.
- Reduce impervious surfaces around your home—Consider alternatives to concrete and asphalt such as rain gardens, vegetated swales, or pervious pavements to allow more water to be absorbed by the ground.
- Elevate utilities and service equipment—Raise equipment to at least 1 foot above potential flood elevations.
- Install a rain barrel—Stored rainwater can be used to water lawns and gardens during dry spells.
- Seal the foundation and basement walls in your home.
- Protect your valuable possessions—Store important documents above flood levels.
- Install a sump pump—Sump pumps mechanically move water away from your home.