Case Study

Home Elevation Program Helps Demystify The Process

Year

2022

Details

Hazards

Flooding – Coastal

Flooding – Rainfall-induced

Assets

Property

Sources

Click the link below to read the Peer-to-Peer Case Study by NOAA's Digital Coast:

Home Elevation Program Helps Demystify The Process»

Relevant Options

Minimize the impact to natural floodplains from future development by controlling the alteration of natural floodplains and stream channels. Implement building codes that support construction and retrofits more resilient to SLR. Minimize low-income housing in the floodplain. Provide financial assistance for low-income families to move out of the floodplain.

Buildings can be built today with high ceilings on the ground floor so that the floor can be filled in as sea levels rise over time.
Update local government maintenance protocols to prepare for climate vulnerabilities.
Establish design standards for buildings located in areas susceptible to sea level rise, coastal inundation, flooding and erosion. One example is to include open or deep foundation systems (e.g., piles
Incentivize measures for flood mitigation in construction areas in the floodplain. One example is offering a structure elevation grant.
Require new public facilities to be located outside of areas susceptible to sea level rise and increased coastal flooding.
Identify funding tools outside of FEMA programs to buy out flood-prone properties.
Implement a no new development restriction in the floodplain for industrial, commercial and residential properties.
Enhance data collection by identifying locations of recurring nuisance flooding.
Evaluate the requirements of the floodplain ordinance and explore higher regulatory standards such as freeboard, the definition of substantial damage or improvement and the regulation potential obstructions
Update the jurisdiction's comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance to account for future sea level rise conditions.
Facilitate affordable housing options outside high-risk areas for all residents.
Develop a comprehensive maintenance and training program for local government employees at facilities with backup generators to ensure proper placement, hook-up and function during hazard events.
Overlay social vulnerability maps with residential flood maps to identify areas and households most at risk.
Limit development in the floodplain in proximity to critical infrastructure.
Reference American Society of Civil Engineers’ standard 24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction requirements in the design and construction of public facilities in flood hazard areas.
Implement green infrastructure projects on public housing properties that have been damaged by past floods.
Require transportation access plan agreements for all large developments.
Consider prohibiting or limiting development or economic development activities in high-risk areas, such as along steep river bluffs that may erode with heavy precipitation or flooding.
Develop an ongoing buyouts program that would re-purpose properties at high-risk of sea level rise impacts. Use the land to support water management, drainage and absorption.
Develop a plan for communicating to the public about seawall projects (e.g., why are they needed, where are they needed).
Incentivize private property owners to implement green infrastructure (GI) and stormwater best practices through a reduced stormwater fee incentive program, zoning or other mechanisms. Encourage GI installations
Build partnerships with local nonprofits to increase opportunities for implementing green infrastructure. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater on site, can improve water quality, can help protect
Help connect low-income residents with existing weatherization programs. These programs often provide home insulation, water heater insulation, double-paned windows, thermostats, window coverings, fans
Conduct educational outreach on the importance of properly storing liquid fuels and storage tanks in local government-owned, residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Require the removal of hazardous
Obtain easements on properties at risk of flooding and use those areas for water retention and drainage.
Identify and plan for the use of municipal and county facilities (e.g., library, community buildings) as temporary shelter from storms or as cooling centers. Consider partnering with area nonprofits and
Require floodproofing as a condition of a certificate of occupancy for structures in the floodplain, for example, when renovation costs are 25% of the value of building.
Publish a guide on steps that property owners can take to make their existing buildings more resilient.
Facilitate managed retreat or upgrades in the most at-risk areas.
To help manage floodwaters, integrate natural buffer requirements, such as wetlands and soft shorelines, into new development or redevelopment for all properties. Ideally, design would go beyond open
Conduct habitat, stream and floodplain restoration on properties purchased through floodplain buyouts.
Harden existing structures, such as seawalls, where appropriate.
Pilot approaches to bring landowners and key agencies together to plan and implement runoff management, erosion management and riparian restoration activities. Identify models and best practices for joint
To prepare for sea level rise, update design standards for seawall heights for private landowners.
Create and implement a localized flood management master plan. The plan could identify detailed mitigation options such as storage areas, stream restoration needs and buyout priorities.
To prepare for high wind, floods and wildfires, fund cleanup activities in areas with abandoned or collapsed structures and accumulated trash or debris.
Require accounting of sea level rise in all new development applications in shoreline areas.
Conduct an audit of landslide and flood-prone areas. Identify the likelihood and consequences of climate related impacts to these properties. Prioritize
Elevate coastal buildings, roads, bridges and other infrastructure to manage projected sea level rise, recurrent tidal flooding and storm surge.
Identify and implement ordinance updates for areas outside of the special flood hazard area. Use detailed floodplain maps to identify areas in need of buffers.
Implement an overlay zone for coastal resilience. The zone could accommodate marsh migration, include coastal setbacks and protect against future storm surge on private property.

Steps to Resilience

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Understand Exposure

Assess Vulnerability & Risk

Investigate Options

Prioritize & Plan

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Image Credit

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Home Elevation Program Helps Demystify The Process

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Home Elevation Program Helps Demystify The Process»

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Steps to Resilience