Property Protection

Rather than wait for a flood to occur, you can act now to protect your property from flood damage. Even if you’ve never flooded before, in the life of a 30-year mortgage, there is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood if a property is located in the floodplain.  Various retrofitting techniques are available to help minimize flooding such as elevating the building, constructing barriers out of fill or concrete, and wet or dry floodproofing to make the building watertight. Because of Dickinson’s susceptibility to storm surge from Galveston Bay during hurricanes and tropical storms, measures that protect against high winds such as storm shutters or reinforced garage doors should also be considered.

There are several publications on retrofitting available at the nearest Harris County public library that can help you decide which technique is best for you and your property. You can also download the Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting:  Six Ways to Protect Your Home from Flooding (FEMA P-312) from the FEMA online library for information on permanent retrofitting measures for your home. Click here for a list of financial assistance options for property protection and flood mitigation.

Maintaining the city’s drainage system in another important part of property protection. It is illegal in Dickinson to dump any type of debris into a stream or drainage ditch. Debris can become entangled in culverts and ditches, and impede drainage causing the flow of water to back up. Citizens should do their part to keep ditches free of debris, and not to allow grass clippings, oil, and other contaminants from getting in storm sewer inlets. Debris dumping should be reported to the Dickinson Public Works Department or by filling out a report online via the Citizen Request Tracker.