In my opinion, it is that simple! Habits aid us in remaining alive in a changing world, but only intelligence can furnish the means for progressive adjustments (Lindeman, 1961).Ī wall that is not part of the structural support of the building and is intended through its design and construction to collapse under specific lateral loading forces, without causing damage to the elevated portion of the building or supporting foundation system. Whether to gain a better understanding of program reform, or acknowledge the difference between perceived and actual risk, our ability to make sound choices and plan for the future increases as our education increases. Non-mandatory flood insurance does not mean safe from flooding.Įducation remains the steadfast foundation of understanding flood risk. Hopefully, changing coverage to a Preferred Risk Policy instead of eliminating the coverage was the popular choice. Or did they? Three weeks later, much of the same area was under several feet of water! I'm not sure if “expensive mandatory flood insurance” is the appropriate phrase to use. Six weeks ago, Central Louisiana celebrated a flood insurance victory four years in the making when approximately 2,000 homeowners surrounding the Beaver Bayou received letters telling residents their homes and properties were no longer classified as being in a high-risk flood zone requiring expensive mandatory flood insurance policies (Allen, 2016). Scenic views and the anticipated increase in real estate values continue to place immense strain on the NFIP, natural resources, and life safety. Society continues to move to locations which flooding can reach more easily. Did you know that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates between 19, a population increase of 39% (34.8 million people) has occurred in the United States Shoreline County population (NOAA, 2015). Now I realize a response may be that the number is not real or can’t be computed, but wrapped nicely inside this figure is the need to understand the urgency to change flood risk perception and behavior. 1862 is known as the storm that caused California to go bankrupt? Interestingly, if this event occurred today, the magnitude of this storm due to the increase of infrastructure and development would result in an estimated $725 billion in damage (Ingram, 2013). Turning back the clock a bit into the 19th century, did you know that the "Great Flood of 1862", which mainly impacted land currently encompassing California, Oregon, and Nevada, and to a lesser degree Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in Dec. Articles are now surfacing as the reform process continues which acknowledge the understanding that the program has been moving forward since 2012, just a bit slower. Oddly, it has been extremely quiet since then, to a point that many believe that flood risk and premiums became a concern not worthy of much attention in the future. That was soon followed by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) of 2014, which reversed or slowed the implementation process of portions of BW-12 provisions. We all know the story starts with the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). This 3 PDH online course is intended for structural and geotechnical engineers, as well as design and construction personnel involved in coastal design and construction projects.As an advocate of the National Flood Insurance Program, the last four years have been interesting. The walls, lattice, or screening are intended to collapse under wave loads without causing collapse, displacement, or other structural damage to the elevated building or the supporting foundation system. As such, NFIP regulations require that the area below the lowest floor of elevated buildings either be free of obstructions or have any enclosed areas be constructed of non-supporting breakaway walls, open lattice-work, or insect screening. Obstructions below an elevated building can significantly increase the potential for flood damage by increasing the surface area subject to wave impact and velocity flow. This engineering online PDH course provides guidance on designing and constructing breakaway walls below elevated buildings located in coastal high hazard areas in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
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