The fine folks over at Colorado State’s Natural Hazards Center have a neat summary of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Preferred Risk Policies program in their monthly newsletter. The short version? Property owners who find themselves newly mapped into high risk flood areas now have up to two years to apply for a Preferred Risk […]
Tag Archives | regulations
Hurricane Earl and Erosion Take Nantucket House
Posted on September 20, 2010
This month’s hurricane dealt a final blow to a long-threatened waterfront house on Nantucket. Reflecting a national trend, the owner’s daughter compares town officials to “ostriches, with their heads buried in their hands” [sic]. Town says “Erosion is a fact of life when you live on an island. I don’t think there’s an overwhelming problem […]
Webinar Series Includes Presentation on "Sea Level Rise and Property Rights"
Posted on September 8, 2010
The International Submerged Lands Management has announced its new conference dates. Unlike most conferences, this one takes place on your computer, so those of us with limited travel budgets can still participate. You can find a schedule of all the conference’s events on their website (and we’ll add the lot to the StormSmart Coasts Calendar), […]
It's Back . . . Senate Reauthorizes National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Posted on July 1, 2010
From the bright and informed folks over at the Association of State Floodplain Managers: As part of a unanimous consent agreement last night, the Senate cleared a measure (HR 5569) that would extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. It was previously passed by the House, so it will […]
Federal Flood Insurance Will Cover Flood-Related Oil Damage [FEMA Memo]
Posted on June 11, 2010
FEMA has released a memo clarifying that in the event of a declared flood disaster, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage will apply even if oil is mixed with flood waters. The brief memo suggest that the NFIP will bill the party that caused the oil damage (in this case, British Petroleum) for the damages. […]
Editorial Advises Better Planning and Building, NOT the Ike Dike
Posted on May 28, 2010
A new Houston Chronicle article argues that building the so-called “Ike Dike” will put more, not less people and property at great risk, and that the best way to protect property from hazards is to keep them out of hazardous areas. In “Forget the Ike Dike, let’s improve building methods” Texas A&M professor John Jacob […]
Texas Town Tightens Development Rules
Posted on May 12, 2010
The City Council of Galveston, Texas recently approved new beach-front construction regulations. The new rules push new development 75 feet back from the north toe of dunes, or 350 feet from the mean high-water line, whichever line is farther landward. They are seen locally as a compromise with some wanting stricter regulations while others did […]
StormSmart Coast Community Adopts New Floodplain Bylaw
Posted on May 5, 2010
Oak Bluffs, one of the Massachusetts StormSmart Coasts communities, voted on May 4th to adopt a new floodplain overlay district bylaw. An overwhelming majority of voters were in favor of the changes. The new bylaw will prohibit new residential development and expansion of existing development in the most hazardous flood zones—those designated as V, VE, […]
When Are My New Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) Going to be Ready?
Posted on April 2, 2010
FEMA has released a list of all communities scheduled to have new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) go active during 2010. WARNING: the list isn’t particularly reader-friendly. I’d recommend downloading it, then doing a search for the name of your community in the document. If it appears, look at the top of the table on […]
With Crumbling Seawalls and Limited Resources, France Struggles with Storms
Posted on March 3, 2010
The Associated Press is reporting on the aftermath of Xynthia, the storm that slammed into Europe last weekend. The hurricane-force winds and huge storm surge destroyed seawalls and killed dozens there. The article focuses on the past, present, and future challenges of devastated historic towns along the French coast. New homes have cropped up chaotically […]