Protecting Your Property from Flooding ...
Fuel Tanks
Are You At Risk?
If you aren't sure whether your house is at risk
from flooding, check with your local floodplain manager, building
official, city engineer, or planning and zoning administrator. They can
tell you whether you are in a flood hazard area. Also, they usually can
tell you how to protect yourself and your house and property from
flooding.
What You Can Do
Flood protection can involve a variety of changes to
your house and property -- changes that can vary in complexity and cost.
You may be able to make some types of changes yourself. But complicated or
large-scale changes and those that affect the structure of your house or
its electrical wiring and plumbing should be carried out only by a
professional contractor licensed to work in your state, county, or city.
One example of flood protection is anchoring fuel tanks. This is something
that skilled home-owners can probably do on their own.
Anchor Fuel Tanks
 Unanchored
fuel tanks can be easily moved by flood waters. These tanks pose serious
threats not only to you, your family, and your house, but also to public
safety and the environment. An unanchored tank outside your house can be
driven into your walls, and it can be swept downstream, where it can
damage other houses. When an unanchored tank in your basement is moved by
flood waters, the supply line can tear free and your basement can be
contaminated by oil. Even a buried tank can be pushed to the surface by
the buoyant effect of soil saturated by water.
As shown in the figure, one way to anchor a tank is
to attach it to a large concrete slab whose weight is great enough to
resist the force of flood waters. This method can be used for all tanks,
both inside and outside your house. You can also anchor an outside tank by
running straps over it and attaching them to ground anchors.
Tips
Keep these points in mind when you anchor a fuel
tank:
-
If you prefer not to do this work yourself, you
can have a handyman or contractor anchor your tank.
-
Extend all filling and ventilation tubes above
the 100-year flood level so that flood waters cannot enter the tank.
-
Close all connections when flood warnings are
issued
Estimated Cost
Anchoring a 1,000-gallon fuel tank to a concrete
base will cost you about $300 to $500. Using straps and ground anchors
will cost about $300.
Other Sources of Information
Protecting Your Home from Flooding, FEMA, 1994
Repairing Your Flooded Home, FEMA-234, 1992
Flood Emergency and Residential Repair Handbook,
FIA-13, 1986
Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures,
FEMA-114, 1986
Protecting
Building Utilities from Flood Damage, FEMA -348, 1999
To obtain copies of these and other FEMA documents,
call FEMA Publications at 1-800-480-2520. Information is also
available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fema.gov.
Top
Related Information
After A Flood-Reclaiming Heirlooms & Other Items From Flood Waters
Coping With A Flood Before, During & After
Sewer
Backflow Valves
Heating,
Ventilating, & Air Conditioning Equipment
Flood Safety Tips
Preparing Your Home For A Hurricane
Areas
At Risk
To Contact Us
Parish
Office of Emergency Preparedness Phone Numbers
Federal
Emergency Management Agency
|
Send mail to