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What is it?
DOEE is piloting a program called FloodSmart Homes that will send a professional to your home for a free flood resilience assessment. The professional will generate a report recommending the most useful and cost-effective resilience upgrades that would be a good fit to reduce flood risk in your home.
Who is eligible?
DOEE’s goal is to serve all homeowners with flood risk who indicate interest in the program. Homes that are in a Flood Hazard Area (FHA), also known as the 100 or 500-year floodplain, will be served first as they are at the highest risk during a flood. Following this, all other homes across the city who indicate interest and have documented flood risk will be served.
You can see if your home is in a floodplain or has flood risk by typing your address into the search bar at dcfloodrisk.org.
Sign up Now!
You can sign up for the program through any of the following options:
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Email [email protected]
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Call 202-535-2600 and ask for the Flood Team
What You’ll Get
- Free Home Resilience Assessment and Report
Eligible homes will receive resilient assessments and reports from experts in the field at no cost to the homeowner. The inspectors will visually assess conditions of the structure (both outside and inside), conduct site surveys and soil inspections, then generate a report that includes an analysis of the property characteristics, such as exterior, HVAC, electrical, water system, and foundation.
Based on property characteristics and a cost analysis, the report will provide recommendations for the most helpful and cost-effective resilience upgrades that can be taken. The inspectors will be in constant communication with the homeowner to schedule assessments and answer any technical questions.
- Free Counseling
After the Home Resilience Report is generated, the professional assessor will hold a meeting with the homeowner to break down their findings and recommendations for resilience upgrades. The homeowner will have an opportunity to discusspossible upgrades and learn more about how their home can be more resilient to flooding.
Options for Flood Proofing and Resilience Upgrades
Here are some examples of home resilience upgrades that may be recommended in the Assessment for residents to make themselves:
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Water intrusion alarms and mitigation warning kits with weather radios
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Electrical outlet elevation and/or replacement with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets
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Installation of anchoring straps on water heaters, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and other appliances located below the design flood elevation
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Sealing of HVAC ducts to prevent water damage and mold growth
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Sump pumps
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Removable flood barriers
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Sewer backflow prevention valves
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Elevation of outdoor mechanical and electrical equipment
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Flood vents in crawlspace walls to relieve water pressure and prevent damage