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r' Chapter I, The Uses and limitations of Flood Proofing Flood proofing consists of those adjustments to structures and building contents which are designed or adapted primarily to reduce flood damages. Such adjustments can be scheduled to be undertaken in existing buildings during periods of remodeling or expansion. Also~ they can be incorporated into new buildings during initial construc- tion at locations where studies have shown that such buildings would constitute a proper use of a flood plain. Flood proofing, like other methods of preventing flood damages, has limitations. It can generate a false sense of security and discourage the development of needed flood control or other actions. Indiscriminately used, it can tend to increase the uneconomical use of flood plains. Applied to structurally inadequate buildings, it can result in more damage than would occur if the building were not flood proofed. The flood proofing technique also presents certain practical difficulties. A complex pattern of land and building ownership would present problems in cooperation before a community-wide program of flood proofing could be carried out. In addition. retail busi- nesses as well as houses frequently change ownership and this tendency would discourage investments for producing primarily long term flood protection benefits. Another com- plication is the requirement of accurate and timely flood forecasts for successful flood proofing operations in some areas. The Values of Flood Proofing Flood proofing has important values when treated as part of a broader program for comprehensive flood plain management. Continued occupance of developed flood plain sites, and even new development of such sites, may become necessary in some low lying areas--especially in certain urban areas where a shortage of land may offer no alterna- tive. In addition to its principal values of permitting occupance in flooo plains and enabling a building to function during flood periods, flood proofing has some other benefits: 1. It offers an additional tool in a comprehensive flood damage reduction program. 2. It can increase the. protection afforded by partial protection flood control projects. 3. It may improve the availability of flood insurance. 4. Properly understood, it can increase interest in flood damage reduction programs by heightening the awareness of flood risk. Flood proofing is not a cure for all flood problems. Rather, it should be considered as one device among an array of available flood damage reduction measures. including land use regulation and change, flood control projects, flood fighting, flood relief, and flood insurance. A comprehensive flood plain management program would probably in- volve the use of several or all of these techniques. 387-3490 - 70 - 2 1