Flood Damaged Structures Can Be Strengthened

Home and business owners repairing damaged structures from flooding can upgrade their property to better withstand damage from future flooding occurrences.

As the rebuilding process begins, home and business owners should talk with their contractors about ways they can effectively upgrade or "retrofit" their property against flooding, says the Insurance Institute for Property Loss Reduction (IIPLR).

Here are a few general steps home and business owners might consider:

Install check valves and sewer traps to prevent backups.
Install main box/fuse box and utility meters above the flood protection level.
Raise machinery, equipment and other contents from basement level or elevate above the ground floor level.
Landscape with native plants and vegetation which resist soil erosion.
Maintain or have access to a supply of sand, sand bags, and materials for building dikes. Materials may include: hammers, plywood, lumber and plastic sheathing.

IIPLR is a Boston-based group created by the property-casualty insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, human suffering, property damage and economic loss from natural disasters.