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<br />Any of the listed flood proofing techniques can be an effective <br /> <br /> <br />flood damage prevention measure for both new and existing structures <br /> <br /> <br />when properly implemented. Likewise, the same measure can be <br /> <br /> <br />completely ineffective and, if ic fails, can cause more damage than <br /> <br /> <br />would have occurred had no actempt been made to protect the structure, <br /> <br />Selecting the best method of flood proofing for a given situation <br /> <br /> <br />should be based on local soil conditions, topography, structure type, <br /> <br /> <br />availability of materials. local building requirements, and flood <br /> <br /> <br />characteristics such as depth, velocity, duration, and warning time. <br /> <br /> <br />Generally, the most common and often the best way to flood proof a <br /> <br /> <br />structu,=e is to raise it above the flood hazard. The second most <br /> <br /> <br />common way is through the use of levees and floo~~alls, Each of the <br /> <br /> <br />listed flood proofing categories is discussed briefly below. <br /> <br />Elevatin~ Structures on a Continuous Wall or Block Foundacion. <br /> <br /> <br />Continuous concrete wall foundations are used for many different <br /> <br /> <br />applications, Aboveground basement residential structures are often <br /> <br /> <br />constructed in this manner, as are many industrial and commercial <br /> <br /> <br />establishments where docking facilities are incorporated into the <br /> <br /> <br />design. Also, it is fairly common to find structures raised on <br /> <br /> <br />concr~te block walls to various heights', depending on the depth of <br />. , , <br />S' .... ~ <br />flood1.ng. Great care must be taken with this cechnique to prevent <br /> <br /> <br />differential water pressure from damaging the foundation. Either the <br /> <br /> <br />foundation must be specifically designed to carry the hydraulic load <br /> <br /> <br />or the basement must be incentiona11y flooded with either potable or <br /> <br /> <br />floodwater to balance internal and external pressures. Failure to <br /> <br /> <br />vacate any raised strutture during time of floods could result in the <br /> <br /> <br />c~toff of escape routes and could create a v~ry real safety hazard if <br /> <br />... <br />the flood proofing design level is exceeded, <br /> <br />28 <br />