Mitigation is taking action to prevent or reduce effects of emergencies or disasters before they occur. By taking action now, residents, governments and businesses can decrease property damage and save lives. There are several grant programs offered by both FEMA and the State of Florida including hazard mitigation pre-disaster flood, repetitive flood claims, severe repetitive loss and residential construction mitigation programs. These programs help to rebuild lives and communities that have been impacted by a major disaster, and to reduce the impact of future disasters through mitigation. Find more information from the following sources:
One way to protect your home from flood damage is to elevate. Most types of homes, including wood frame, brick veneer, slab-on-grade, crawl space or homes with basements can be elevated above floodwaters. This is a reliable flood proofing method and requires little human intervention to prepare for a flood. Elevation requirements vary with local codes and ordinances but the new first floor elevation should be at or above the 100-year-flood level. You may wish to exceed the code requirements. Some buildings may be elevated high enough for the new lower level to serve as a garage. All elevated homes need new stairs and porches built to the new height. Elevating a home requires the services of plumbers, electricians, house movers and contractors. Because the new foundation will be in the floodwaters, it is important that it be structurally designed to withstand lateral (sideways) forces like fast-flowing currents and the impact of waterborne debris. A structural engineer can help you design your new foundation and obtain a permit from your building department.
The mission of Escambia County government is to provide efficient, responsive services that enhance our quality of life, meet common needs and promote a safe and healthy community.
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