By Nicole Azzi Williams

Living in coastal areas or areas prone to heavy rainfall does pose a huge risk to you and your loved ones. This may also pose a huge threat to your forever home, or a precious investment property.

Rising sea levels are causing significant damage to coastal wetlands, which act as a barrier for natural disasters. As a result, homeowners in these areas face an increased risk of flooding and significant financial losses due to possible “drowning”.

To safeguard your home from flood damage, it's crucial to evaluate the flood risk in your locality and for your specific property. While you can't control natural forces, you can take steps to minimize the likelihood of flood-related harm. You might not be able to slow down the inevitable, but you can look outward for solutions.

Home Elevations -

This is the most obvious solution to flood issues -  You’ll get a new foundation base by  jacking up the structure and briefly setting it up in a temporary framework called cribbing. Beneath this framework, the foundation is built. The base foundation usually comprises piers, columns, raised foundation walls, or pilings.

Now, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to cough up money to have this made -  If you live in a region that is affected by shallow flooding or water stagnation after heavy rains, the government is fully aware that elevation is the only possible way to protect your home and are continuing to give out programs to offer free elevations and implementing solutions against flood hazards in the community. 

FMA Grant - 

The FMA Grant Program offers financial assistance to properties identified as having a “high frequency of losses” or a high value of claims in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of repeated flood damage.

The grant program will cover up to 100% of the contract. If you received the Road Home Elevation Incentive or ICC funds, the entire amount is applied to the contract, with the grant program covering the remaining balance.

Keep in mind, though. Grants may take 12-24 months for approval.

What does it look like?

1. Interested homeowners gather the paperwork required for the grant application, which may include contractor estimates, an elevation certificate, a square footage verification document, and a homeowner application.

2. The parish submits a grant application.

3.The parish notifies the homeowners once the grant has been approved.

4. Elevation work begins.

However, please note that house elevation is not possible in old houses, connected row-houses, attached residential units, or town homes.

Structural elevation is a very effective tactic to reduce flood risk and often the most efficient measure to reduce flood damage as well as insurance premiums. This is done by Homeowners not just in Louisiana, but across the globe are opting for the elevation of their houses as a preventive measure against flood-hazard.

What if you’re not qualified, or just simply eager to get started?
Here are some useful tips to start protecting your home (professional help is greatly recommended!):

Relocate Power Connections: Move power sockets, HVAC systems, and wiring to higher floors or attics to prevent water damage. Mounting TVs on walls and using ceiling wiring are smart flood-resistant measures.

Install Check Valves: Ensure all pipes entering your home have valves to prevent sewage backup during floods. Gate valves are preferable for better flood pressure sealing.

Grade Your Lawn: Slope your lawn away from the house to prevent rainwater pooling around it. Use soil containing clay and sand to regrade your lawn for proper runoff.

Install French Drains: French drains help prevent flooding and reduce the risk of long-term water damage to your property by better drainage.

Leave Space Between Mulch and Siding: Maintain a gap between mulch and siding to prevent siding rot and subsequent leaks. This ensures your home's base can dry completely after rain.

Build Floodwalls: Construct perimeter walls or berms with watertight gates to keep floodwaters out. This traditional method can be effective for individual homes, ensuring the house remains dry even in severe flooding.

Remember, these proactive steps can help protect your home from flood damage, regardless of your expertise level. Finally, ask your flood insurance agent or a trusted local real estate agent, if you have one, which additional steps they’d recommend.