8 Important Steps To Take To Protect Your Home From A Flood (8 of 8)

 

8. Change your landscaping

"Porous outdoor surfaces help water seep into the ground instead of streaming toward your home," said the National Resources Defense Council. "Digging depressions known as swales to channel storm water runoff away from your house, converting concrete or asphalt driveways to gravel or brick, and using absorbent mulch can help manage heavy rain and reduce potential flood damage. Placing a rain barrel beneath a gutter downspout will not only allay basement flooding but also help reduce flooding and pollution of local waterways."

This taps into an innovative trend being seen in places like China where "sponge cities" are in the process of being created. Currently, 16 cities are in development, with plans to roll the program out nationally in China. "Designers will concede to the wisdom of nature to ensure water is absorbed when there's an excess: instead of water-resistant concrete, permeable materials and green spaces will be used to soak up rainfall, and rivers and streams will be interconnected so that water can flow away from flooded areas," said The Guardian.