Because homes here are raised, storm water generally passes underneath rather than into living space. What still needs protecting is everything at ground level.
What actually takes on water
Ground-level storage beneath raised houses, older ground-floor sections, garages and equipment enclosures. That is where a pump earns its place, rather than protecting a floor already above the water.
Salt water is harder on pumps
A pump dealing with brackish flood water corrodes faster than one handling rainwater. Specifying properly for that, rather than fitting the cheapest available, decides whether it still works next season.
Backup power is essential here
Storm surge and power cuts arrive together on a barrier island. Without a battery backup, a pump is off at exactly the moment the water is rising.
Damp under an old house
Beyond flooding, persistent damp underneath a raised historic home leads to rot in framing that is expensive and difficult to repair. Managing the water is really about protecting the structure.