Relocating Buildings
Moving buildings away from shorelines can greatly reduce risks, not only to that structure, but to a community's infrastructure and to first responders. Large, historic buildings have been successfully protected this way. For more information, consult an engineer experienced with the structure relocation. For potential funding sources, see the funding page.
Acquiring Buildings
Some buildings in hazardous areas can't be feasibly retrofitted or relocated. In some cases, the only way to prevent structures from causing harm may be to remove them entirely. This is especially true when older structures are located where they are likely to be damaged, such as areas with high erosion rates. After the structure has been removed, communities usually dedicate the land to public open space or transfer it to land trusts for protection in perpetuity. There are many possible funding sources for acquisition (see the funding page). For more information on acquisition, see the Property Acquisitions for Open Space Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 525 KB) on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website.