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This home constructed in a V Zone in Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, had the bottom beam of the lowest floor at the BFE (dashed line) but the estimated wave crest during Hurricane Ike was 3 to 4 feet higher (solid line).

This home constructed in a V Zone in Bolivar Peninsula, Texas, had the bottom beam of the lowest floor at the BFE (dashed line) but the estimated wave crest during Hurricane Ike was 3 to 4 feet higher (solid line).

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Buildings damaged by a hurricane storm surge: upper homes on gulf shoreline were hit by large waves above the lowest floor, lower left home on bay and right school 1.3 miles from gulf shoreline were hit by surge and small waves.

Buildings damaged by a hurricane storm surge: upper homes on gulf shoreline were hit by large waves above the lowest floor, lower left home on bay and right school 1.3 miles from gulf shoreline were hit by surge and small waves.

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House Raising After Harvey

Publication Date
Author(s)
Houston Public Media
Organization(s)
Houston Public Media
Video from Houston Public Media explaining the process of raising homes in Houston to avoid flooding from another natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey.
Video

Porches, Carports, and Deck Attachments

Guide describing how to provide a continuous load path with appropriate connectors to improve the wind resistance of attached porches, carports, and decks during high-wind events.
Guide
The components of a framed wall include from inside to out: gypsum, wood studs, OSB or plywood sheathing, and siding.

The components of a framed wall include from inside to out: gypsum, wood studs, OSB or plywood sheathing, and siding.

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Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations, FEMA P-550

Author(s)
Coulbourne Bill,
Haupt Matt,
Sundberg Scott,
Low David K,
Yeung Jimmy,
Squerciati John
Organization(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency,
FEMA,
URS Corporation,
DK Low and Associates,
Greenhorne and O'Mara,
Dewberry and Davis
Publication Date
Report providing recommended designs and guidance for rebuilding homes destroyed by hurricanes in the Gulf Coast.
Reference

Mitigation Success

Publication Date
Author(s)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Organization(s)
FEMA
Video testimonial from a homeowner whose home survived a flood due to proper lower level wet floodproofing.
Video

Homeowners elevate houses for flood protection

Publication Date
Author(s)
LSU AgCenter
Organization(s)
LSU AgCenter
Video from LSU AgCenter explaining why and how some homeowners are elevating their homes above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to mitigate damage during flooding.
Video

Wet Floodproofing

Publication Date
Video explaining the practicality behind the idea of wet floodproofing and its applications per LSU AgCenter guidelines.
Video
The rails on these stairs were enclosed with siding, presenting a greater obstacle to the flow of flood water and contributing to the flood damage shown here.

The rails on these stairs were enclosed with siding, presenting a greater obstacle to the flow of flood water and contributing to the flood damage shown here.

Publication Date
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Recommended installation techniques for electrical and plumbing lines and other utility components in homes built on piers above the base flood elevation.

Recommended installation techniques for electrical and plumbing lines and other utility components in homes built on piers above the base flood elevation.

Publication Date
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Connecting hardware helps tie the roof to the walls to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

Connecting hardware helps tie the roof to the walls to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

Publication Date
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In Coastal A Zones and V Zones best practice is to construct the home so the bottom support of the lowest floor is above the 100-year wave crest elevation.

In Coastal A Zones and V Zones best practice is to construct the home so the bottom support of the lowest floor is above the 100-year wave crest elevation.

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Wrong – Piers set on individual footings with inadequate anchoring to the ground were twisted and toppled by a coastal storm surge, while those anchored in the concrete pad stayed upright.

Wrong – Piers set on individual footings with inadequate anchoring to the ground were twisted and toppled by a coastal storm surge, while those anchored in the concrete pad stayed upright.

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Right – Notch cut into pile takes less than 50% of cross section, cut is treated with wood preservative, and beam is installed with corrosion-resistant bolts.

Right – Notch cut into pile takes less than 50% of cross section, cut is treated with wood preservative, and beam is installed with corrosion-resistant bolts.

Publication Date
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Connecting hardware helps tie the walls to the top plates and rim joists to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

Connecting hardware helps tie the walls to the top plates and rim joists to ensure a continuous load path to improve a building’s resistance to high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

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Recommended construction for homes in Zone B (areas of moderate flood hazard between the 100-yr and 500-yr flood) and Zones C and X (areas of minimal flood hazard above the 500-yr flood).

Recommended construction for homes in Zone B (areas of moderate flood hazard between the 100-yr and 500-yr flood) and Zones C and X (areas of minimal flood hazard above the 500-yr flood).

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For homes built in V Zones a registered professional engineer or architect must certify that the lowest floor elevation is above the BFE and piles and structure are anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement due to combined wind and water loads.

For homes built in V Zones a registered professional engineer or architect must certify that the lowest floor elevation is above the BFE and piles and structure are anchored to resist flotation, collapse, or lateral movement due to combined wind and water

Publication Date
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Design and Retrofit for Flood Protection

Information guide describing constructed flood protection measures to minimize damage and increase structural resilience during a flood.
Information Guide

Flooding Overview

Overview guide describing residential floodproofing steps.
Information Guide