![]() In the case of dry flood-proofing, it will also allow residents to close barriers in a timely fashion. This will allow flood-proofing measures to be appropriately applied and will allow time for residents to vacate flood-proofed buildings in the event of an emergency. Availability of funds to undertake more expensive flood-proofing measures will no doubt encourage the uptake of flood-proofing however.įlood-proofing measures require the current risk of flooding to be known and communicated to the public through flood hazard mapping studies and flood warning systems. Even small, inexpensive flood-proofing efforts are likely to result in worthwhile reductions in flood damage. This means structures are less likely to fail during floods.Īlthough flood-proofing will not allow residents to continue living in their house during flooding, flood-proofing measures will make it much quicker and easier to clean up and repair flood damage (FEMA, 1992).įlood-proofing can also be undertaken by individuals, rather than requiring funding from central or local government bodies. Wet flood-proofing measures are beneficial because they allow internal and external hydrostatic pressures (relating to fluids which are not in motion (for example, the maximum still water level caused by extreme events) to equalise during a flood therefore lessening the loads on walls and floors (FEMA, 2007). Flood-proofing measures are also much more affordable than the construction of elaborate flood protection works such as seawalls and dike systems (FEMA, 2007).įlood-proofing is also advantageous because it does not require the additional land that would be needed to offer the same degree of flood protection through seawalls or dikes. One of the main advantages of flood-proofing is that it avoids the need to elevate, demolish or relocate structures and as a result, is often a much more cost effective approach to reducing flood risk (Powell & Ringler, 2009). Obviously, the decision to choose wet or dry flood-proofing should be influenced by the use of the structure being protected and the compatibility with flood waters. A typical example of dry flood-proofing is shown in Figure 2.įigure 2: Basic dry flood-proofing measures for a residential structure (Source: Linham and Nicholls, 2010)įlood-proofing can be applied in residential and non-residential buildings and the principles of flood-proof design can also be applied to other important infrastructure such as electricity substations and sewage treatment works. Making the structure watertight requires sealing the walls with waterproof coatings, impermeable membranes, or a supplemental layer of masonry or concrete, installing watertight shields on openings and fitting measures to prevent sewer backup (FEMA, 2007). A typical example of wet flood-proofing is shown in Figure 1.Ī dry flood-proofed structure is made watertight below the expected flood level in order to prevent floodwaters from entering in the first place. Wet flood-proofing measures typically include structural measures, such as properly anchoring structures against flood flows, using flood resistant materials below the expected flood depth, protection of mechanical and utility equipment and use of openings or breakaway walls to allow passage of flood waters without causing major structural damage (FEMA, 2010). On the other hand, dry flood-proofing is the practice of making a building watertight or substantially impermeable to floodwaters up to the expected flood height (FEMA, 2008). Wet flood-proofing reduces damage from flooding in three ways (1) allowing flood waters to easily enter and exit a structure in order to minimise structural damage (2) use of flood damage resistant materials and (3) elevating important utilities. ![]() The description of this technology originates from Linham and Nicholls (2010).įlood-proofing measures are widely applied in the USA where two types of flood-proofing are widely recognised: wet and dry. ![]() This may include elevating structures above the floodplain, employing designs and building materials which make structures more resilient to flood damage and preventing floodwaters from entering structures in the flood zone, amongst other measures. The primary objective of flood-proofing is to reduce or avoid the impacts of coastal flooding upon structures. ![]()
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