While watching the news, a student learned that annual flooding of a nearby river causes an average of $1.8 million dollars in damages each year. The student wants to create a proposal for the city council to help address the problem. The student came up with four ideas to submit. Which of the following ideas would best help reduce damages caused by river flooding each year?

Tearing down all damaged structures and rebuilding structures with steep roof pitches to encourage the floodwaters to be redirected without damaging structures.
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Using trucks to bring in large amounts of sand to pack the riverbanks and to increase the height of the riverbanks by five feet.

Increase the amount of land surrounding the river that is classified as a floodplain to prevent homes and businesses being built there.

Issuing a mandatory evacuation of all residents living within ten miles of the river as soon as flooding is predicted.

The best idea to help reduce damages caused by river flooding each year would be to increase the amount of land surrounding the river that is classified as a floodplain to prevent homes and businesses from being built there. By doing so, this would help reduce the potential for damage to structures during annual flooding events.