FEMA Case Study Library

Browse case study reports and best practice articles from across FEMA's areas of expertise. You can search by title or keywords, select additional content filters, or jump to a collection.

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Motel Open for Business after Elevation

TILLAMOOK, OR – During the late fall of 2006, many of the businesses along Highway 101 in north Tillamook, Oregon were inundated with flood waters. More than a month later, some business owners were still shoveling mud and debris from inside their shops.

Moving HVAC from Crawlspace to Attic Makes All the Difference

SHADY SPRING, WV - Heavy rains during the fall of 2003 saturated the ground in Shady Spring with over 5 inches of rain in less than a month. When 2.4 inches additional inches fell in one day, the crawlspace under David and Dwila Kimbrells’ home flooded.

Moving Highway Shop Improves Disaster Response

CRAWFORD COUNTY, WI – Before, during, and after flooding, employees of the Crawford County Highway Shop in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, spent hours and days moving vehicles, heavy equipment, and computers, and sandbagging and raising things off the ground, all in an effort to protect their facility fro

Moving Homes from a Floodplain

ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD - Allegany County’s mitigation initiative contributed to the long-term endeavors by earmarking funds to relocate units for an acquisition project. Despite numerous setbacks, the project reached a successful conclusion due to the County and its contractors.

Moving Out of Harm's Way Proves Advantageous and Gives Rise to Widely Used Park

POINSETT COUNTY, AR – Property acquisition (buyout) is one of many forms of hazard mitigation. It is also the most permanent form. It removes people from harm's way forever.

Moving from Harm's Way Pays Off Elevation Keeps Family Business Dry

SOUTHAMPTON, VA - For 30 years, Robert and Gale Stradley’s home escaped the intermittent threat of flooding. However, when Hurricane Floyd struck in September 1999, the couple was not so lucky. “Floyd was a very, very different storm.

Moving to Higher Ground

HARRIS COUNTY, TX ‒ During Memorial Day weekend in 2015, flood warnings were issued in many parts of Texas as record amounts of torrential rains were unleashed on already saturated grounds.

Multi-Agency Flood Mitigation Effort Transforms, Beautifies Missouri Community

WAYNE COUNTY, MO - It’s a long way from the terror of a flood to a happy park, but that’s what’s happening in Piedmont, Missouri where a cooperative effort is moving people out of harm’s way and saving lives and taxpayer dollars.

Multi-Hazard Protection for Historic Home

NAPA, CA – In 1998, Paul Faulk purchased a historic home in Napa. It was a slightly elevated house with a four-foot crawl space. When new flood maps were developed for the city, Mr.

Multiple Measures Protected University from Floods

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – As a leading research institution with a distinctive commitment to undergraduate education, Rice University aspires to path-breaking research, unsurpassed teaching, and contributions to the betterment of our world.