The LSU AgCenter's "LaHouse" is designed to stand up to hurricane-force winds, swarming insects and harmful humidity. This family-type home is designed to showcase innovations in home construction for Louisiana’s sub-tropical climate.

Web site for Design and Construction information.

Series of 4 classroom and walk-through “high performance home” training classes to prepare master volunteers and staff to conduct educational tours of LaHouse sustainable design and construction features and benefits, answer consumer inquiries, participate in educational events or other activites that extend the LaHouse vision of shaping future homes.

Introductory segment from the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video with overview of flood damage reduction techniques.

A research-based showcase of solutions and educational programs to help you shape the future with homes that offer MORE benefits with LESS ....

LaHouse has reopened its doors for free previews...

Step-by-Step instructions for property owners to use the Registry to find a licensed contractor working in their parish and to rate a contractor.

Wind is the most common and most costly cause of damage to light frame structures in the United States. There are things you can do, however, to reduce the potential damage from high winds.

We have begun and will continue to build upon this Online Training Center to assist the Louisiana and Gulf Region construction infrastructure with building science, best practices and building code-based information and continuing education.

Use the Registry to find state licensed or registered service providers who wish to work in your parish and who offer the services you need.

From this page, you will be able to access information on a variety of issues related to flood recovery.

Louisiana floods - from excess rain and poor drainage; from overflow of rivers, streams and bayous; from drainage channels backing-up; from storm surge; from levee failures.

Here are brief descriptions of currently available building systems for exterior walls and roofs. Some of their major properties that relate to sustainable development are mentioned. A generalized assessment of how each building system integrates and balances the five criteria for Louisiana conditions.

Building professionals who are licensed or registered to operate in Louisiana can offer services used in building, remodeling or restoring homes.

Users must indicate acceptance of these terms prior to submitting ANY personal, company, service or project information to the Registry.

You probably think of an air conditioner as something that puts cool air in your homes, but what it really does is remove heat from your home. So an understanding of how heat gets in your home is the key to choosing the most cost-effective ways to cut summer utility bills while staying cool and comfortable.

Geographic Basics in Louisiana include Climate, Flood, Wind and Termites. Read about the climate, wind and flood hazards, and termites in Louisiana.

One of the hardest determinations you'll have to make when you decide to restore a damaged home is how much work needs to be done - and how much help you'll need.

Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to damage from termites, especially Formosan subterranean termites, and other wood-destroying insects. Since basic controls and most state approved stand-alone treatments are not fool-proof, it’s wise to invest in a second line of defense or even a totally termite-resistant structure. Click here to find out how to make your home resistant to termites.

List of mini seminars scheduled to be held at the Rebuilding Information Station in October.

In our wet climate, keeping a wood frame house dry is the single most important factor for durability, preventing mold, and long term customer satisfaction and referrals. Plus, the more energy efficient the house, the harder and more important it is to keep it dry. Effective flashing and moisture control methods can easily prevent this all-too-common and costly source of call-backs and liability claims.

This article describes what a plumber does and why you might need one; how a plumber gets licensed; and how the homeowner can verify the license.

This article informs the consumer what a residential electrician does, what licenses are required, if any, in the state of Louisiana in order for the electrician to work on your home, how to verify any licenses, and how to become an electrician.

After a disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or fire, important papers may be destroyed, lost or damaged. There are many agencies, web sites and procedures that can help you replace your documents.

Steps to take to prevent mildew and decay after a storm.

Recent rains have finally brought an end to drought. But after hoping for rain for so long, what nature provided was far more than what we had in mind. Too much rain can bring problems of its own, and we are certainly dealing with that situation now.

If you have purchased coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program, you will be protected against property damage caused by flooding. You may also be partially reimbursed for steps you take to prevent flood damage, even if the flood never reaches your building.

What to do after a flood whether you have flood insurance or not.

The combination of heat, humidity and hard work can spell trouble for people cleaning up after a disaster, especially if they don't usually work outdoors.

There are about 2,500 species of termites worldwide. Although only about 2% are frequent invaders of wood structures used by humans, termites must be managed because they can and will cause great damage. This publication includes information on how to manage them. Only available in pdf format.

Whether building a new roof or repairing an existing roof in south Louisiana, there are steps you can take to improve your roof's resistance to hurricane winds and driving rain. Here are the essentials for selecting and installing a roof and roofing components.

A majority of home-buying and building decisions are made people are in the prime of life and health. Often, primary considerations are safety for children, budget, color, floor plan, neighborhood and school districts. In a society where people live longer and where many medical conditions are treatable, planning for future lifestyles and physical limitations can be very important. This article gives some suggestions on how to design for future accessibility.

Picture this -- the outside temp is in the low 90s. No breeze is blowing. Humidity is in the 90% range. You notice a blink in the lights while watching a baseball game. A few hours later you notice the temperature inside your house beginning to rise. Now the house is getting warmer by the second.

Hip roofs (four-sided roof design) are more aerodynamic and inherently more resistant to uplift forces of high wind than gable end and other roof designs. If your home has a gable roof (two-sided pitched roof), the end wall takes a beating during a hurricane and typical framing methods create a vulnerable “hinge” line at the joint between levels. If not properly braced, it can collapse.

How can you recognize when your roof has problems? Apply these inspection tips.

This site contains Web links to information useful for helping you when you build or rebuild in Louisiana.

Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. It is important that renovation, remodeling and repair activities use methods that reduce and control dust and debris created during work. Even a small amount of dust can pose a serious health risk to children, families and the workers themselves. You can help prevent childhood lead poisoning by learning to work lead safe. Attendees will learn skills to safely renovate older housing and prevent childhood lead poisoning. Participants

Hurricane Rita leveled Thompson “Thomp” and Karen McCall’s Cameron Parish home. So, when they built their new home, they built it safer, stronger and smarter.

Read the following articles on safety and take all necessary precautions when rebuilding your home.

The Rebuilding Information Station is an outreach center at the New Orleans Lakefront that is set up to assist homeowners in managing the rebuilding of their hurricane damaged homes through information, education and outreach. Partners in the Station are the LSU AgCenter, University of New Orleans Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology, Tulane City Center and The Road Home program.

Alice Weiss, whose Slidell home was hit by Hurricane Katrina, has compiled of items needed for cleanup the next time a storm hits. She made this list based on her own experiences. Weiss advises folks to get these items before they leave the area, or before they return, as the items may not be available when they return. Weiss's complete list is available here.

Entergy has established a fund at the Foundation for the Mid South to help nonprofit [501(c) 3] organizations and intermediary organizations serving communities affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund will be used to help communities in the Entergy service territory to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the storms. Entergy Corporation launched the fund with a corporate contribution of $700,000.

Segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video including the factors to be considered in making a decision to invest in protecting a home from future flood damage.

Wet floodproofing segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing techniques for reducing damage to the home without attempting to keep water out of the building.

Segment from the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video showing details for preventing sewer backflow and using pumps in flood protection.

Segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing construction of panels that can be used to block openings in barrier systems and to protect windows and doors in dry-floodproofed buildings.

Segment of the LSU AgCenter "Ready for Rain" video describing proper filling and use of sandbags and a variety of water-inflated barriers that can be used as temporary flood barriers.

Segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video describing benefits and construction of privates levees and floodwalls.

Dry floodproofing segment of the LSU AgCenter Ready for Rain video, showing tips and techniques for sealing the building so water will not pass through the walls, doors and windows.

One sure vestige of a hurricane or bad blow is a large, dead area of the lawn. It usually is located near curbside, or anwhere yard debris is piled up for many days. Some spots can be avoided by careful debris management; others are inevitable and will require restoration.

The Road Home's "What's In My Back Yard?" (WIMBY) Tools provide information about facilities and services available in areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This information is intended to serve as a resource for homeowners as they decide how to use their Road Home funds.

Cleanup after a disaster can be a major problem. Debris from trees, shrubs and buildings may be everywhere. Even though extra resources may be provided, it may be some time before collection is possible. Debris removal will reduce the potential for nesting by rodents, snakes and insects, or it will, at least, keep those infestations in a concentrated area away from the home.

Una tormenta o cualquier otro desastre puede dejar árboles destruidos. Pueden quebrarse o dañarse las ramas principales, cortarse o ajarse el follaje o arrancarse o perforarse la corteza. Sin embargo, lo que a primera vista pueden parecer lesiones mortales no necesariamente resulta letal paraun árbol. Los árboles tienen una capacidad increíble para recuperarse de los daños ocasionados por tormentas. (Fuente: Texas Cooperative Extension Service)

Usted es responsable de la remoción de escombros de su propiedad. Para ello, se necesita un plan que trate las prioridades, técnicas de remoción y cuestiones de seguridad. (Fuente: Texas Cooperative Extension Service)

Several communities in Louisiana have participated in federal grant programs for which on-site protection of private property is an eligible activity. These programs fund elevation or relocation of floodprone buildings, purchase of floodprone properties and, for non-residential buildings, dry floodproofing. Drainage improvements are also eligible.

Move quickly to clean and disinfect. This is important from a health standpoint as well as from an insurance standpoint. Document damage and file insurance claims. Protect your termiticide while cleaning exterior walls. Don’t be in a hurry to get “back to normal.” Does your flood insurance cover personal belongings? Coverage for raising your home.

A collage of storm spot images from hurricane debris.

Green building has multiple direct environmental and economic benefits to consumers and to society as a whole.

The Louisiana House Learning Center and LSU Hurricane Center are cooperating to make sure the Louisiana House incorporates hazard-resistant features based on the best local research data available.

As you restore your home, you may want to take the opportunity to add space - either with an addition on the back or side of the home, or by adding a second story.

Generadores portátiles son usados con un motor de combustion interna para generar electricidad y están comunmente usados durante respuesta a desastres. Generadores portátiles pueden ser peligrosos si se usan incorrectamente. Fuente: La Occupational Safety and Health Administration de Estados Unidos (OSHA).

Byron “Goose” and Carla Richard have lived in Cameron Parish all of their lives. After Hurricane Rita struck in September 2005, the Richards never questioned if they would return. They just had to figure out how.

After Hurricane Rita devastated Southwest Louisiana, taking away her house, Margaret Jones decided she would build a new house that could stand up to a hurricane.

Homeowners will get information on how to rebuild their homes to better stand up to hurricanes at a series of mini-seminars scheduled for the Rebuilding Information Station in September.

Despues de un huracan, las comunidades tienen la oportunidad de planear y reconstruir el bosque urbano de tal manera que las futuras tormentas sean menos devastadoras. (Fuente: University of Florida Extension)

An arborist can help you keep your trees healthy and give you peace of mind. Their professional services can help you with an array of other tree care practices, including transplanting, pruning, fertilizing and managing pests. Most arborists are also skilled in tree removal and value appraisals. You will want to read the questionnaire provided in this article to help you decide if you need any of these special services.

With rising energy costs, energy efficiency is now on the minds of many homeowners. Homeowners and potential homeowners can see examples of simple methods, as well as high-end methods of reducing the energy consumption of a home by visiting LaHouse, the LSU AgCenter's demonstration home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Los riesgos eléctricos pueden causar quemaduras,choques eléctricos y electrocución (muerte). Fuente: La Occupational Safety and Health Administration de Estados Unidos (OSHA).

Portable generators are internal combustion engines used to generate electricity and are commonly used during disaster response. Portable generators can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and electrocution (death). Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Neighbors nicknamed Warren Lawrence’s home in Plaquemines Parish Fort St. Lawrence. Lawrence added special features to his home such as walls constructed of insulated concrete form. His home is outside of levee protection and vulnerable to storms.

(TV News For 11/21/05) Added safety measures can make a difference on a home when a storm threatens. The proof stands on a corner lot in a development in Plaquemines Parish.

Construction techniques used by Cameron Parish residents rebuilding their homes will be featured during a tour of homes on September 23, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Structural engineering is a sub-specialty of civil engineering, but can also be a stand-alone degree. Structural engineers design the systems that ensure that buildings and other structures are safely supported and able to resist forces against them, such as hurricane winds.

If the recent hurricanes have landed trees on your property, Dr. Hallie Dozier of the LSU AgCenter cautions you to hire only Louisiana-licensed professional arborists remove the trees.

Land surveyors determine legal property boundaries. They also establish subsurface mineral boundaries to determine the distribution of mineral rights.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a hazard-resistant house in Louisiana.

Following a Presidential Declaration, disaster assistance is made available to help residents and local governments in the declared parishes recover from the effects of the disaster.

(Distributed 05/22/08) LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says not to forget the relatively easy steps you can take to protect your home from hurricane damage. “Although changes like structural reinforcements, installing hurricane shutters or replacing windows with impact-resistant glass require more time, money and planning, there are some things you can do at a lower cost and with less effort,” Reichel advises.

(Distributed 05/22/08) Wind is the most common and most costly cause of damage to homes and other “light frame structures” in the United States. The 75-mile-per-hour-plus winds experienced in hurricanes put tremendous pressure on the roof, walls and foundation, and windblown debris can significantly increase the damage. But LSU AgCenter disaster recovery and mitigation specialist Pat Skinner says there are steps you can take to protect your home in the long run.

Keep it Dry- Flashing and Moisture Control (Calcasieu)

In our wet climate, keeping a wood frame house dry is the single most important factor for durability, preventing mold, and long term customer satisfaction and referrals. Plus, the more energy efficient the house, the harder and more important it is to keep it dry. Effective flashing and moisture control methods can easily prevent this all-too-common and costly source of call-backs and liability claims.

Best Management Practices in regard to proper planting techniques and mulch use in the home landscape.

A lawn can be as functional as it is beautiful if planned properly. Recommended varieties, degree of shade, planting and establishment and other site considerations are included.

Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms.

Loading equipment onto a truck or trailer usually requires the use of loading ramps. There are some safety issues involved in using ramps.

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.

Elevation provides the best protection for flood damage, short of relocating the house to an area that is less prone to flooding. Raising a structure does not remove it from the special flood hazard area (SFHA); therefore, it does not exempt the owner or the mortgage company from flood insurance mandates.

Hurricane Disaster Recovery information link

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.

If you live in Louisiana, your primary objective in raising a home is likely to be flood avoidance, even if you’re not in an identified flood hazard area. Elevation is the most effective on-site method of reducing future flood damage.

For an average person soil might just be nothing but dirt which you walk on and never pay attention. But for engineers it is a complex material that must be studied.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana. Refer to the Reference Guide for more information about items on the checklist. Use the checklist again to evaluate the construction plans for your Louisiana house.

Many homeowners who own a property built of wood have had problems with wood-destroying organisms. In United States, termites, and decay fungus cause more than $2 billion in damage to buildings every single year. In order to protect their home from these organisms, homeowners need to know what to look for, how to treat problems that arise, and how to keep their homes free of decay and termites.

As you attempt to restore your life and home after a storm, the availability of local companies and individuals to perform the necessary services will be limited. It often may be advisable to do temporary repairs and wait for local contractors who will be there to guarantee their work long after the storm is over.

LaHouse Resource Center is now a new Gulf Region Healthy Homes Training Center partner of the National Healthy Homes Training Center and Network. Lessons taught at the Center promote practical and cost-effective methods for making homes healthier.

Universal design means creating spaces that meet the needs of all people, young and old, abled and disabled. From the arrangement of the rooms to the choice of colors, many details go into the creation of accessible spaces. Some general guidelines are listed here.

Damage to roofs is the most common damage resulting from wind storms, and we can take actions to minimize future damage.

Preserving and maintaining the great benefits of having an older home will take time, commitment, and money.

Use of renewable fuels, fuel cells, and photovoltaics can help homeowners achieve energy efficiency.

A series of mini-seminars has been scheduled for September at the Rebuilding Information Station (RIS) in New Orleans.

On Novermber 10, 2000, Remson-Haley Architects (RHA) has been selected to design the Louisiana House and produce a master plan for development of the six-acre site.

There are four distinct components of establishing turfgrass: clearing and grading to provide the desired contours and good surface drainage, soil preparation, planting, and watering and maintenance.

An interior designer works on the interior and is specially trained in this area. Interior designers follow much of the same design steps and procedures as architects do, only the work of interior designers is specific to the interior.

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Global Green USA made a dedicated commitment to sustainable building in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. As part of that commitment, Global Green, in partnership with Brad Pitt, sponsored an international design competition during the summer of 2006. The result is a zero energy affordable housing development in the Holy Cross Neighborhood of the Lower 9th Ward.

Learn how to inspect and treat your home for Formosan termites as well as common problem areas to look for.

This "Hurricane Edition" is a guide to flood, wind and water resistance features you can see at the Louisiana House Home and Landscape Resource Center (LaHouse). It was developed during the summer of 2007 for use in mid-construction open houses. Pages will be updated when features become less visible as the house is completed.

Use this checklist to explore and select features and components of a sustainable house in Louisiana.

Restoration of a home may afford a good opportunity to change the way you use existing space in the home.

Lead poisoning is not just a problem in crumbling housing in inner cities. It's a common tragic result of remodeling older homes and other sources. Small exposures, once thought harmless, can cause serious, permanent damage to the brain.

Over the life of a product, more-durable and longer-lasting options are generally better investments. These options are also better environmentally because they reduce both solid waste and resource waste.

View this sample contract to get an idea of the language your contract may include. Source: LouisianaRebuilds (http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/contractor)

Treatments for termites must be integrated with proper maintenance. Eliminate as many conditions conducive to termite infestations as possible by following the five general categories of rules.

After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, some homeowners are rebuilding to a higher elevation, either by choice, or because they are required to elevate. Elevating or rebuilding above base flood level will minimize the flood risk, but foundations that aren’t designed and built properly may result in other problems.

In high-wind areas, special hardware is used for most framing connections. Proper use of connection hardware is important for insuring your home can withstand high winds. SOURCE: Home Builder's Guide to Coastal Construction Technical Fact Sheet Series: Fact Sheet 17.

Sandbags can be used to fill gaps in a permanent protection system, to raise an existing levee or to build a complete emergency levee.

Homeowners will get information on how to rebuild their homes to better stand up to hurricanes at a series of mini-seminars scheduled for the Rebuilding Information Station in August.

In hot, humid climates, walls should be built to keep moisture out.

Consider advanced wiring and designing adaptable spaces....

The goal is safe and independent living for just about anyone....

Don't let your own home make you sick...

Every source of combustion in the home vented to the outdoors...

Breathe easy inside...

Biological air pollutants affect the health of more people than any other indoor pollutant...

A building designer designs residential and agricultural light frame buildings, such as single family homes. A designer also might design decorative facades for larger structures.

Civil engineers are concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of an altered physical or natural man-made environment. For instance, civil engineers may design bridges, roads, dams, and buildings.

This article covers the history to date of one homeowners' experience through Hurricane Katrina and the decision to rebuild - and rebuild 'green' - her home in Gentilly. This series will follow the reconstruction of her home to completion, detailing both challenges and successes experienced through the process.

Use multiple methods to make your home resistant to termites and other wood-destroying insects.

Follow design guidelines to make your home functional for life...

Benefits of low-maintence materials...

Structures damaged by the storm are particularly attractive and provide easy access for rodents. The unwelcome pests can damage property and, in extreme cases, pose a potential health problem.

Preliminary repairs are meant to keep damage from getting worse. Any temporary structural repairs that can be made will require some creativity since there’s likely to be a shortage of materials.

Many snakes, like other residents in the path of a major storm, have been displaced and left homeless. As a result, it is commonplace to find these animals seeking shelter and food in areas close to people.

Building systems that integrate the five criteria for Gulf Region Conditions.

Find the water vapor balance...

Air equalizes between higher and lower pressure areas- whether you want it to or not...

Heat moves three ways...

Important things to remember about the gulf region...

Lighting can account for 15% of a home's yearly electric bill...

Look for ENERGY STAR appliances and compare Energy Guide labels...

ENERGYSTAR labels are more efficient and cost effective...

The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating ability...

Homes should create a continuous air barrier system that surrounds all conditioned space...

In a warm climate, reducing solar heat gain (and air leakage) through a window is even more important than a high insulating value.

In the Gulf Region, this means reducing summer heat gain....

Use this checklist to explore components and features of your sustainable Louisiana house.

Choose environmentally-friendly products to avoid pollution and the depletion of natural resources.

El funcionamiento de una sierra de cadena es peligroso. Fuente: La Occupational Safety and Health Administration de Estados Unidos (OSHA).

Las elevaciones aéreas incluyen plataformas aéreas auge-apoyadas, tales como recogedores de la cereza o carros del cubo. Las causas principales de fatalidades son caídas, electrocutions, y derrumbamientos u overs de la extremidad. Fuente: La Occupational Safety and Health Administration de Estados Unidos (OSHA).

El trabajo de la demolición implica muchos de los mismos peligros que se presentan durante otras actividades de la construcción. Sin embargo, la demolición también implica los peligros adicionales debido a una variedad de otros factores. Algunos de éstos incluyen: pintura conducir-basada, objetos agudos o que resaltan y material el asbesto-contener. Fuente: La Occupational Safety and Health Administration de Estados Unidos (OSHA).

Operating a chain saw is dangerous. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed this "Quick Card" as a reference guide for workers.

Demolition work involves many of the same hazards that arise during other construction activities. However, demolition also involves additional hazards due to a variety of other factors. Some of these include: lead-based paint, sharp or protruding objects and asbestos-containing material. Source: The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Aerial lifts include boom-supported aerial platforms, such as cherry pickers or bucket trucks. The major causes of fatalities are falls, electrocutions, and collapses or tip overs. Source: The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Operating a chain saw is inherently hazardous. Potential injuries can be minimized by using proper personal protective equipment and safe operating procedures.

Reducing the amount of waste produced when building and living in homes can make a big difference in the number, longevity and cost of needed landfills.

A great deal of moisture can move from the ground into and through a foundation and floor system...

Create a continuous drainage plane to keep moisture moving away properly.

Consider choosing windows and doors designed to withstand high wind and impact from flying debris.

Proper construction techniques help to keep your roof where it belongs in a storm...

Build for Wall Strength....

Designed safe rooms can protect you from more than just a storm...

Prevent sewerage from backing up into your home...

As many Louisiana residents struggle to rebuild their homes and their lives in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, homeowners, builders and code officials need help building safer, stronger homes that will resist hurricane damage. They also need help understanding and implementing the newly adopted residential building code. The Capital Region Builders Association (CRBA) has been at the forefront of educational efforts, offering a series of code workshops and model homes.

This discussion of different methods of counseling and different factors to use in finding a counselor can help the consumer make good choices in selecting a mental health professional service.

It’s been almost two years since Hurricane Katrina hit the southern coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. Some of the flooded homes have been rebuilt, or are in the process of being rebuilt. The important question is “How good are we rebuilding?”

The Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council has developed a Web site filled with valuable information concerning the Louisiana Uniform Construction Code.

Imagine turning your house upside down and shaking it....

As a homeowner, you need clear information about the options that are available to reduce flood damage to your home and straightforward guidance on selecting the option that is best for you. Quite often this is a difficult task. By knowing the basic questions to ask, you are guided toward the in