Final answer:
The statement is false; substantial damage regulations apply to buildings that have been significantly damaged regardless of the cause, not only for flood damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that substantial damage regulations only apply if a building was damaged by a flood is false. Substantial damage regulations generally refer to standards set by local or federal agencies concerning buildings that have been significantly damaged, regardless of the cause of the damage. These regulations often guide how structures should be rebuilt or restored to ensure safety and resilience, not just for floods but for various types of damage, including fires, earthquakes, and other natural or man-made disasters.
It's important to build with more resilient materials like brick or steel, particularly after catastrophic events that expose vulnerabilities in construction practices. This approach to rebuilding is a common response to disasters, aiming to prevent similar damage in the future. While floods are a prime example where substantial damage regulations become highly relevant, they are not the only instance when such regulations are applied.