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<br />Decisions on what techniques to use <br />should take into consideration that <br />some approaches, such as elevation of a <br />building, require no further attention <br />after completion. Other techniques, <br />such as putting temporary covers over <br />doors and windows or closing gates in <br />small walls, require action each time a <br />flood occurs. Dependence on these <br />actions requires availability of <br />advance warning of floods as well as <br />people trained to take the necessary <br />steps. <br /> <br /> <br />This masonry wall <br />from flooding. It <br />solutions to flood <br />be unattractive. <br /> <br />protects a home <br />demonstrates that <br />problems need not <br /> <br />Some floodproofing measures may <br />cause the structural failure of build- <br />ings and increased damages if not <br />properly designed and used. For <br />example, blocking the entry of flood- <br />waters into a building prevents <br />equalization of inside and outside <br />pressures and results in forces of a <br />type most structures are not designed <br />to withstand. If flood water on the <br />outside of the structure is deep <br />enough, its pressure can buckle or even <br />break walls and floors. Similarly, <br />raising buildings may cause their <br />foundations to become unstable. These <br />and most other flood proofing measures <br />require professional design and supervi- <br />sion of construction for successful <br />use. Their improper use can increase <br />flood dam<lge. <br /> <br />Caution <br /> <br />Floodproofing techniques are pri- <br />marily for use in flood fringe areas <br />where floodwaters are expected to be <br />shallow and slow moving. Most flood- <br />proofing measures cannot withstand <br />deep flooding. People should always <br />be evacuated from floodproofed struc- <br />tures to avoid being trapped in case <br />the floodproofing fails. <br /> <br />! <br /> <br />Measures Modifying <br />the Impact of Flooding <br /> <br />Some flood losses are likely to <br />take place in developed areas despite <br />measures for controlling flooding and <br />reducing susceptibility to damages. The <br />primary means for reducing the catas- <br />trophic financial impact of flooding on <br />individuals and communities are flood <br />insurance and provisions for relief and <br />recovery. <br /> <br />Flood Insurance <br /> <br />The National Flood Insurance <br />Program provides an opportunity for <br />owners and renters of flood-prone <br />properties to insure against some flood <br />losses. The insurance is available to <br />all persons in areas in which the local <br />government is participating in the <br />federal program. To become eligible for <br />participation, the local government <br />must formally apply for enrollment in <br />the program and must agree to regulate <br />new construction and development in <br />areas subject to inundation by the <br />lOO-year flood. <br /> <br />Federally subsidized insurance <br />against flood losses can be purchased <br />from insurance agents or brokers to <br />cover most types of governmental, <br />commercial, industrial and residential <br />buildings and their contents. Premiums <br />for limited amounts of insurance are <br />subsidized by the federal government <br />for exi sting structures. The insurance <br /> <br />\ <br />I <br />