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<br />W AlTENBERG, COLORADO FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN <br /> <br />AUGUST 1996 <br /> <br />APPENDIX 3 <br />Floodproofing for Homeowners and Business <br /> <br />Structural modifications (the implementation of mitigation fixtures to buildings or property) offer <br />numerous mitigation options that are both affordable and simple to construct. Home and <br />business owners are encouraged to use structural modifications to divert water away from their <br />premises. Many of the floodproofing techniques that keep water away from a residence, such as <br />flood walls, levees, and structural sealing, may require special treatment for openings such as <br />doors, windows, driveways, etc. These closures act as shields to prevent water from entering, <br />and can be of a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. <br /> <br />In some cases closures are permanently attached using hinges so that they can remain open when <br />there is no flood threat. They may be portable, normally stored in a convenient location and <br />slipped into place when a flood threatens. In certain situations, when flooding is of very low <br />level, usually less than one foot, some method of enclosing low entrances such as basement doors <br />or window wells might be a satisfactory option. In any case, there are a number of elements <br />involved in designing and using a closure system. <br /> <br />In areas of shallow, low velocity flooding, closures can be used on doors, windows, vents. And <br />other building openings. However, the first step with the use of closures placed directly on <br />buildings is to be certain that both the closure and the wall systems are strong enough and <br />sufficiently watertight to withstand flood pressures. The use of closures directly on a structure is <br />considered to be part of the sealing process (See Figures 9 and 10). <br /> <br /> <br />Figure 9 - Example of a "mini-flood wall" <br /> <br />CLOSURE <br />PANEL <br /> <br />CLOSURE <br />TRACK <br /> <br /> <br />Example 10 - Example of a drop-in closure <br /> <br />Closures can be considered as an option only if a flooding situation provides sufficient time to <br />install the closures. The need for warning tine and human intervention is critical, since all <br />closure system require personnel to install them and make certain they are properly sealed. <br /> <br />Closures that are stored between floods must be readily accessible. The effectiveness of an entire <br />closure system will be compromised if the closures are stored such that flooding renders <br /> <br />18 <br />