There are things that you can do to protect your home from flood damage. The most effective things are also the most expensive: relocating the whole building to another location outside the floodplain, or elevating it so it is up above flood level.
Using water resistant materials in building and remodeling
These are all "wet flood-proofing" solutions. That means that they let water in, while protecting valuable components.
Dry Flood-Proofing
"Dry flood-proofing" means to keep water out completely. This can only be done for flooding up to three feet, and is not advisable for homes. Letting flood water inside a building actually protects it by equalizing the pressure on both sides of the walls. If you don't equalize the pressure, floodwater as shallow as three feet can topple a wall or cause other major structural damage. Basement walls can easily collapse and floors can buckle if floodwater is kept out a basement completely.
For more information on flood protection, call the Building Department at 517-483-4363.