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<br />Floodproofing Structures, Floodproofing techniques can provide some protection
<br />to certain types of buildings, Although the NFIP does not allow new residential
<br />buildings to be floodproofed, non,residen,
<br />tial buildings can be constructed to
<br />withstand anticipated flood forces, In
<br />some instances, older buildings can be
<br />retrofitted or fioodproofed, Because of
<br />the potential catastrophic nature of
<br />damage if floodproofing measures fail.
<br />the advice of an experienced registered
<br />professional is recommended, Although
<br />floodproofing may increase construction
<br />costs, it is a reasonable mitigation tool for
<br />some buildings, For existing non-residen-
<br />tial buildings, floodproofing may be the
<br />only way to reduce damage,
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<br />Tobacco warehouse in Kinston inundated in the 1996
<br />floods, with losses reported to be $26 million,
<br />
<br />There are two approaches to floodproofing:
<br />
<br />. Dry floodproofing involves strengthening \.valls to \vithstand hydrostatic and
<br />dynamic forces. including debris impacts. Openings. including doors, \-vin-
<br />daws, and vents, are sealed or filled \vith special closures to block the entry of
<br />flood\vater. In some cases, v,ialls can be coated \\'ith \vaterproofing com-
<br />pounds or plastic sheeting.
<br />
<br />. \Vet floodproofing imentionally allovvs floodvvater to emer certain enclosed
<br />areas to reduce the damaging pressures that can collapse \valls and founda-
<br />tions. Flooring and "vall materials must be resistant to flood damage, and the
<br />contents of floodable areas should be removed v,'hen flood vvarnings are
<br />issued. The NFJP regulations allow "vet fJoodproofing measures, called
<br />"enclosures be]O\v base flood," only under very limited circumstances in new
<br />buildings. However, such measures can be used to reduce damage to existing
<br />buildings,
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<br />Seismic Preparedness and Retrofitting, Surprising to many people, :--1orth Caro-
<br />lina is vulnerable to earthquakes, The 20 western counties adjacent to the Eastern
<br />Tennessee seismic zone is the second most seismical1y active area east of the
<br />Rocky Mountains,
<br />
<br />Seismic preparedness and retrofitting programs are cost,effective approaches to
<br />reducing seismic vulnerability, The objective is to make buildings and infrastruc-
<br />ture (e,g" utilities, roads, bridges, etc,), resistant to the effects of ground shaking
<br />and liquefaction, Several proven structural and non-structural retrofit techniques
<br />can be adopted to minimize casualties and reduce damages, Low-cost techniques
<br />include measures such as secunng suspended ceilings and bookcases to prevent
<br />injury to schoolchildren, The challenge has been to make seismic preparedness
<br />and retrofitting a higher public priority in moderate risk communities,
<br />
<br />Since 1992, North Carolina has given priority to evaluating public schools for
<br />potential seismic damage and to identify non-structural mitigation measures, an
<br />initiative that is featured in this report,
<br />
<br />Part One: Hazard Mitigation and Sustalllahle. Com;h~;~i;~'"
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