FACT SHEET: FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS Mitigation pays. It includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in mitigation steps now such as constructing barriers such as levees and purchasing flood insurance will help reduce the amount of structural damage to your home and financial loss from building and crop damage should a flood or flash flood occur. BEFORE Find out if you live in a flood-prone area from your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter. Ask whether your property is above or...