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<br />Flood <br />characteristics, <br />magnitude, <br />and frequency <br /> <br /> <br />The concept behind flood proofing is to minimize flood <br />damages by either keeping floodwaters away from damageable <br />property or making the property less susceptible to damage <br />when floodwaters get to it. To be successful, the flood proofing <br />effort must consider local flood characteristics such as <br />frequency, depth, duration, velocity, and perhaps water quality. <br />These characteristics vary widely, from the slow-rising, long <br />duration floods associated with most major rivers to fast-rising <br />"flash floods" usually seen on small streams. Coastal floods, <br />caused by hurricanes or other violent weather systems, have <br />their own unique characteristics related to wind, wave action, <br />and beach erosion. Regardless of the source of the flood, a <br />successful flood proofing effort must be designed to withstand <br />flood conditions that occur at the sites. <br /> <br />Flood frequency and elevation are the two most important <br />characteristics that must be considered in designing any flood <br />proofing project. Many of the flood proofing measures <br />described in this pamphlet were designed to protect against the <br />highest flood of record without determining the probability of <br />that flood event. (fthe flood of record is a frequent event, the <br />level of protection will be low and the structure will still be <br />subject to flood damage. Fortunately, data needed for design of <br />flood proofing projects are available in most urban areas. <br /> <br />The I DO-year frequency flood was originally recognized by <br /> <br />4 <br />