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March 22, 2011
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge or Tammy Snodgrass, (573) 265-2993
Protect Your Home from Flood Damages
Third in a Series
PHELPS COUNTY– Anyone who has experienced flooding may have had to clean out basements filled with sewage and water, torn out wet drywall and carpeting, or replaced water heaters and furnaces. While it is hoped that this year’s wet weather is over, it is not too early to prepare for the next downpour. The following inexpensive mitigation measures may make these damages a thing of the past.
• Elevate or relocate water heaters, furnaces and major appliances. It is much easier to relocate these appliances to the first or second floor of a home. If they cannot be relocated, then you need to elevate the appliance to the base flood elevation (100 years) if known, or at least 12 inches above the high water mark from the last flood. Some heating systems can be suspended from the basement ceiling.
• Raise electrical panel boxes, circuit breakers, wall switches and any electric outlets to the base flood elevation (100 years) if known, or at least 12 inches above the high water market from the last flood.
• To prevent sewer backups, install a backflow valve either inside or outside the structure.
• Install floating floor drain plugs at the lowest point of the lowest finished floor to allow water to drain. When the flood drainpipe backs up, the float rises and plugs the drain.
• Construct watertight interior and exterior masonry floodwalls. The floodwall can enclose utilities such as furnaces, water heaters, appliances and electrical systems in the basement of or lowest floor of a building. Outside, a similar masonry floodwall can be built around the perimeter of the basement opening. Properly constructed and anchored, these floodwalls can keep water out of the basement or away from utilities.
• Anchor heating fuel tanks to prevent them from floating, overturning or breaking loose in a flood. Metal structural supports and fasteners should be non-corrosive and wooden structural supports should be pressure treated.
• Check with your local building code officials to determine if a permit is required.
• Take photographs or a video of your home and all contents and store the documentation in a safe place. This is helpful if you have to file an insurance claim or seek assistance following a community-wide disaster.
• Visit Floodsmart.gov to learn more.
With the spring rains this April and May, flooding is a real possibility in many parts of Phelps County. Phelps County has adopted a floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood damage. The heart of the ordinance is a permit program that regulates development in flood hazard areas. Property owners must obtain a permit from the community floodplain manager before starting new construction or substantial renovation in a floodplain. Phelps County’s floodplain administrator is Meramec Regional Planning Commission, 573-265-2993.
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