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<br />J-......... <br />.. <br /> <br /> <br />( <br />\ <br />I <br />~ <br />I <br />( <br />\ <br />\ <br /> <br />I n addition to evacuation, property can be protected by various protection measures. These <br />include: temporary flood proofing of structures, use of pumps, and flood fighting. Flood <br />fighting includes such actions as raising the level of existing protection, closing highways, streets <br />and railroads, prevention of backwater in sewers, and protection against erosion. All of these <br />actions contribute to the overall goal of reducing flood loss. <br /> <br />I,n addition, a forecast, warning, and evacuation strategy will include maintenance and <br />management of vital services before, during, and after the flood and post-flood reoccupation <br />and recovery. Vital services include telephone, energy (gas and electric), sewage, water, traffic <br />control, hospitals, as well as, police and fire services. Post-flood reoccupation .and recovery <br />includes, <br /> <br />. Reestablishment of conditions which will not endanger public health: disease and insect <br />control, safe drinking water, safe sewage disposal, medical supplies. <br /> <br />. Return of other vital services. <br /> <br />. Removal of sediment, debris, flood fighting equipment and materials. <br /> <br />. Repair of damaged structures. <br /> <br />. Establishment of disaster assistance centers for financial and other assistance. <br /> <br />A detailed discussion of each of the above components is presented in Appendix C. An <br />overview is described in Reference 1. <br /> <br />Physical Feasibility <br />The factors which determine the physical feasibility of forecast, warning and evacuation <br />measures are somewhat different from those which determine the physical feasibility of many <br />other nonstructural measures. The feasibility of most other measures is directly related to the <br />type structure and depth of flooding. Forecast, warning, and evacuation feasibility is more <br />dependent.upon hydrologic, social, and institutional factors. The selection and feasibility of <br />forecasting capability depends upon the size of the drainage area; whether the river is a main <br />stem or tributary, travel time; and other hydrologic factors which influence the ability to make <br />reliable forecasts. Small watersheds generally have short response times making it especially <br />difficult for warning to be helpful. The feasibility of warning systems also depends upon such <br />soc,ial factors as the size and distribution of people in a community, the type of community <br />(business district or suburb), and the type of communications network available or capable of <br />being installed. One system may be appropriate for one community, but not for another. The <br />feasibility of implementing temporary protective measures, the means to maintain vital services, <br />and a plan for post-flood recovery are dependent also on community factors and institutional <br />arrangements. An infrastructure of community and institutional arrangements is necessary to <br />effectively use hydrologic information. If this infrastructure cannot be created, or only created <br />to a limited degree, this influences the feasibility of different warning and evacuation measures. <br /> <br />Specific comments on the physical feasibility for each forecast, warning and evacuation <br />component are presented in Appendix C. In general, some level of preparedness planning is <br />feasible for most every community, but the extent and type will depend upon local conditions. <br /> <br />Costs <br />Costs vary widely with the component of the preparedness strategy being implemented. <br />Appendix C contains cost information for some components. Where a reasonable estimate <br />could not be made only the items entering into estimating costs were presented. <br /> <br />60 <br />