Hurricane Sandy survivors along Connecticut’s coast are asking an important question: How can I protect my home from future flooding?

One of the most effective methods is for them to elevate their home.

“Elevation may be one of the best ways to protect your home, your family and your possessions,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Albert Lewis. “Home elevation isn’t simple or cheap, but it is extremely effective.”

The advantages of elevating homes include:

• Reducing the flood risk to the house and its contents;
• Eliminating the need to move vulnerable contents to areas above the water level during a flood;
• Reducing the physical, financial and emotional strain that accompanies floods;
• Providing additional parking and storage space at home; and
• Decreasing flood insurance premiums by reducing the risk to a property.

Through the National Flood Insurance Program, local communities enact and enforce floodplain management regulations. Flood survivors should check on local code requirements before repairing or elevating their homes.

To get an idea of how home elevations are accomplished, view the following videos on FEMA’s website:

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/1849

www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/2281

Related online FEMA publications include:

“Above the Flood: Elevating Your Flood Prone House” www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1424

“Protecting Your Home and Property from Flood Damage” www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4654

Homeowners also can get technical assistance by calling FEMA's building science helpline at 866-927-2104 or submitting questions by email to FEMA-Buildingsciencehelp@dhs.gov.