This publication is designed to provide accurate, current, and authoritative information on the subject. However, since the laws, regulations, administrative rulings, and court decisions on which it is based are subject to constant revision, portions of this publication could become outdated at any time. This publication is distributed with the understanding that the authors are not engaged in rendering legal advice or opinions, and the information contained herein should not be regarded, or relied upon, as a substitute for legal advice or opinion. For these reasons, the utilization of these materials by any person constitutes an agreement to hold harmless the authors, the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and the University of Florida for any liability claims, damages, or expenses that may be incurred by any person as a result of reference to or reliance on the information contained in this fact sheet.
Introduction
The primary purpose of the publications referenced in this article is to assist engineers, architects, contractors, and property owners in locating detailed information on how to design and construct flood-resistant buildings and structures.
Appropriate design and construction practices are necessary for any site development, including new and substantially improved structures. Requests for information on construction requirements should be directed to the community. The state National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coordinator and the appropriate Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regional offices will also provide relevant information.
FEMA offers a wide array of materials for land development professionals and designated communities regarding NFIP construction requirements in identified flood-prone areas. The following list is an overview of a number of FEMA materials related to flood-resistant design and construction.
Online FEMA Resources
- https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/building-science/building-codes
- https://www.ldaf.state.la.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FEMA-Coastal-Hazards-and-Considerations.pdf
- https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/asce24_highlights_dec2010.pdf
- http://www.fema.gov/permit-floodplain-development
- https://www.fema.gov/pdf/floodplain/nfip_sg_unit_5.pdf
- https://www.fema.gov/glossary/start-construction
- https://www.fema.gov/glossary/new-construction
- https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/3293
- https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema499_flyer_052219.pdf
- https://pdhonline.com/courses/c816/FEMA499_9_1.pdf
Other FEMA Resources
FEMA resources are available for ordering via telephone, toll-free, at 1-800-480-2520.
- Requirements for the Design and Certification of Dry Floodproofed Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings, FEMA/NFIP Technical Bulletin 3 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_technical-bulletin-3_1-2021.pdf
- Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, FEMA-15
- Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54 https://www.cranfordnj.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif436/f/uploads/fema_54_-_elevated_residential_structures.pdf
- Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-55 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema55_voli_combined.pdf
- Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazard, FEMA-85 http://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_p85.pdf
- Reducing Losses in High Risk Flood Hazard Areas: A Guide for Local Officials, FEMA-116 https://nebula.wsimg.com/63bd44e9c6e5ce9497a28d87dd3c2fa1?AccessKeyId=4B39373A4238385DA60C&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
- Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings, FEMA-213 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema_p213_08232018.pdf
- Repairing Your Flooded Home, FEMA-234 https://nchh.org/resource-library/fema_repairing-your-flooded-home.pdf
- Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, FEMA-257 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/fema257.pdf
- How to read a Flood Map, FEMA RiskMAP https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/how-to-read-flood-insurance-rate-map-tutorial.pdf
- Flood Emergency and Residential Repair Handbook, FEMA-13* https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=umn.31951d00285430f&seq=4
- Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood Prone Residential Buildings, FEMA-259 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema259_complete_rev.pdf
- Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate Zone A Areas: A Guide for Obtaining and Developing Base (100-Year) Flood Elevations, FEMA-265 https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_approx-zone-a-guide.pdf
- Protecting Floodplain Resources, FEMA-268 https://www.cabarruscounty.us/files/assets/public/planning-and-development/documents/fema-268-protecting-floodplain-resources.pdf
- Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding, FEMA-312. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/FEMA_P-312.pdf
*Note: FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency; FIMA is the Flood Insurance and Mitigation Administration, a division of FEMA.