The City of Shoreacres has amended its
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to address special flood surge hazards
at the east end of the City approaching Galveston Bay. [Flood
Damage Prevention Ordinance 2007-04] The significant hazard
associated with tidal surges and hurricane wave wash was convincingly
demonstrated by Hurricane Ike. [slides]
In response the City has adopted new regulations to control the use of
fill dirt in future construction in the east most portion of the city. [Flood
Damage Prevention Ordinance (amendment) 2009-46]
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A thirteen street area east of Sunrise
Drive to the shoreline of Galveston Bay has been designated a flood
surge hazard area. This
area of Shoreacres was inundated by waters from Hurricane
Ike tidal surge and hurricane wave wash on September 13, 2008. [Map]
Located within the areas of flood surge
hazard are areas designated by FEMA as Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones
V1-30, VE, and/or V) and special flood hazard areas (Zone AE).
In addition to meeting all previously
existing provisions of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, the
following seven new provisions also apply:
(1) All new construction and
substantial improvements in Coastal High Hazard Areas (Zones V1-30, VE,
and/or V) shall be elevated on pilings and columns so that the bottom of
the lowest horizontal structural member of the lowest floor (excluding
the pilings or columns) is elevated to or above the base flood level
plus one foot free-board.
(2) All new construction and
substantial improvements in special flood hazard areas (Zone AE) shall
be elevated on pilings and columns so that the lowest floor is elevated
to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot free-board.
(3) The pile column foundation and the
structure attached thereto are anchored to resist floatation, collapse,
and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and water loads.
(4) New construction and substantial
improvements have the space below the lowest floor free of obstruction
or enclosed with non-supporting breakaway walls, or open lattice work.
(5) A registered professional engineer
or architect must develop or review the structural design,
specifications, and plans and certify that the designs and methods of
construction to be used meet accepted standards of practice for meeting
the provisions of CFR 60.3(e)(4)(ii) and breakaway walls (§60.3(e)(7)).
(6) Prohibit the use of fill for
structural support of buildings.
(7) Prohibit the use of fill to raise
the grade of any lot above the minimum required to achieve proper
drainage.
