Some structures in hazardous areas can’t be feasibly retrofitted or relocated. In some cases, the only way to prevent structures from causing harm may be to remove them entirely. This is especially true when older structures are located where they are likely to be damaged, such as areas with high erosion rates. After the structure has been removed, communities usually dedicate the land to public open space or transfer it to land trusts for protection in perpetuity. There are many possible funding sources for acquisition (see FEMA’s Property Acquisition Handbook for Local Communities).
* Your community needs only 500 points to qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information (including how to apply for the CRS program), see our Community Rating System (CRS) primer.
Notes from the folks at CRS:
“The surest way to protect a building from flood damage is to remove it from the floodplain. Credit is provided for removing the building from the floodplain as long as the community can document that the property will stay vacant.”