The Word Is Mitigation 

Release Date: April 2, 2003
Release Number: 1454-18

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Winter Storms

Richmond, KY -- If your home or business was damaged in Kentucky's winter storms and floods the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests measures to take in rebuilding to minimize damage in a future storm.

FEMA offers free technical advice on construction and rebuilding techniques to make property safer and less vulnerable to violent weather events. In some cases, federal financial assistance may be available under FEMA's hazard mitigation program. Those who live in flood hazard areas also should ask their local emergency manager about the availability of a buyout program that would enable them to sell and relocate.

"FEMA's long-term policy for disaster recovery stresses mitigation to make communities more disaster resistant," said Thomas Costello of FEMA, deputy director of federal recovery operations in Kentucky. "We use the lessons of one disaster to help prevent similar damage in the next."

FEMA encourages property owners in flood hazard areas to consider elevating structures above expected flood levels and move furnaces, pumps, water heaters, circuit breakers and other essential equipment higher where possible.

FEMA recommends tying wall and roof components together as a single unit for strength when rebuilding following flood or tornado damage.

Reconstruction is also an opportunity to incorporate fortified spaces called safe rooms that provide life-saving shelter from approaching storms. Plans for such rooms in various types of structures are available from FEMA.

"There's no better time to include mitigation than when you are rebuilding or repairing a damaged property," said Cash Centers, director of Kentucky's emergency management division. "Not only is it much less expensive, but the incentive to act on safety is strong because the image of the disaster is fresh."

To obtain a FEMA publication to guide you through a mitigation project, call toll-free 1-800-480-2520 and ask for copies of publications 320, 312 and 361.

Last Modified: Thursday, 03-Apr-2003 10:50:27