Rebuild With Flood-Resistant Materials

Disaster survivors from Hidalgo and Cameron counties who are rebuilding and repairing their homes after the severe storms and floods of June 18-July 13, 2018, are urged to rebuild safer and stronger. Mitigation experts say this is an opportunity to rebuild by taking steps to use more flood-resistant building materials.

 

By using more flood-resistant materials, survivors can reduce the damage caused by future flood waters and make cleanup easier. Building materials are considered flood-resistant if they can withstand direct contact with flood waters for up to 72 hours without being significantly damaged.

 

Flood-damage-resistant materials should be used for walls, floors, and other parts of the building that are below the base flood elevation (BFE). Check with your local government to determine the BFE in your area.

 

Examples of flood-resistant materials include, but are not limited to:

 

Concrete, concrete tile and pre-cast concrete.Brick, metal, concrete block, porcelain, slate, glass block, stone, and ceramic and clay tile.Decay-resistant wood.Cement board, cold-formed steel and reinforced concrete.Hollow metal doors, cabinets and foam or closed-cell insulation.

 

For more mitigation ideas and information, visit https://www.fema.gov/mitigation-ideas-and-tips-rebuilding and for information on rebuilding safer and stronger, visit https://www.fema.gov/safer-stronger-protected-homes-communities.

 

For Texas disaster mitigation information, visit www.fema.gov/texas-disaster-mitigation. For additional information about mitigation, visit www.fema.gov/what-mitigation. For information on protecting properties from disaster, visit www.fema.gov/protect-your- property.

 

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on-hand to answer questions about rebuilding and protecting homes from future disaster-related damage at local home improvement stores in Cameron and

Hidalgo counties for the next month. Take a moment to visit with FEMA mitigation specialists staffing tables at home-improvement stores. Find locations and hours of operation at https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2018/07/27/disaster-survivors-can-get-rebuilding-tips-local-home-improvement-stores.

 

Those with questions about repair and rebuilding can also find answers at any disaster recovery center. Find one online at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

 

Original author: daniel.green2
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