A FEMA mitigation expert said there are some things owners of homes and businesses can do to mitigate flood damage to their properties.

Graphic: Learn more about the levees on the Little Calumet River.

Virginia Hale is stationed at the Munster disaster recovery office where she takes the time to talk to residents who have questions on mitigation. She has been in the region for several weeks following the President Bush's disaster declaration for numerous Indiana counties, including Lake, Porter and LaPorte, following September flooding.

Hale said there are some things residents can do to minimize flooding. That includes cleaning out the main drains and removing trees or limbs that might be blocking water flow or gutters. She said communities should make sure that nearby creeks and rivers are clear of debris and not blocking water run-off.

She also said people can elevate their electrical system by putting plugs higher on the wall, put their furnace on cinder blocks and elevate washers, dryers and hot water tanks. Hale also suggested residents raise the air conditioner outside about 2 feet off the ground with cinder blocks.

Residents with a bathroom in the basement might want to install a backflow valve, Hale said. The valves range from relatively inexpensive PVC pipe to a cast iron system that costs about $1,500.

By virtue of a community's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, it agrees to enforce its flood plain regulations. If a person does not elevate or floodproof when requested, a community could take legal action against the resident.

Marsha Strode Gray, who lives with her mother, Barbara Strode, on Jefferson Avenue, said when she applied to FEMA, she received information on how to mitigate against floodwaters in the future. She said the furnace has been put on blocks, but she thinks the ultimate solution will be completing the levee project in Munster.

"People are worried that it's going to happen again. Some people are talking about moving and selling their homes, but it's a bad time to sell a house right now," she said.

Meanwhile, Hale said FEMA does not make a third trip to help residents. When a federal disaster is declared, FEMA and other agencies are immediately called to the scene to assist. However, FEMA has a provision against repetitive loss.

"If it's considered repetitive loss and the homeowner has not done anything to mitigate the damage, FEMA will not come back a third time," she said, adding this is the first time they've been to the Northwest Indiana area.

Hale also said some communities, like where she lives in northern California, host awareness months on all sorts of disasters, including earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and fires.

FEMA spokesman Mel Jenkins said communities and residents have to take responsibility.

"We're not here just to pick up the pieces, we also want to make sure that residents are more prepared when natural disasters strike," he said.