Mitigation
There are things that you can do now that can help you avoid loss of life and property and may reduce your risk of becoming a disaster victim. Those things are called mitigation. There are many low-cost actions you can take to protect yourself, your home, or your business from losses.
Protection from Wind
- Analyze structural strengths and weaknesses of your home or business.
- Retrofit your existing roof with hurricane straps and gable end braces.
- If you are building a new home or business, consider a hip roof with a
pitch of 30 degrees or less.
- Secure all outdoor furniture to prevent it from blowing away.
- Install plywood at least 1/2’’ thick or build storm shutters to protect windows
- Install braces to give additional support to garage doors.
Protection from Flooding
- Buy flood insurance. To obtain information on flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent, or call FEMA at 1-800-427-4661.
- Make sure that any flood-proofing efforts are in compliance with minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements, and with State and local building codes.
- Move valuables and appliances out of the basement.
- Have the main breaker or fuse box and utility meters elevated above expected flood levels.
- Consider elevating your home/business above the 100-year floodplain or estimated surge inundation level.
- Heed flood warnings by leaving early and removing belongings that may be damaged in the event of a flood.
