Code Compliance Works in Grand View
Release Date: December 5, 2003
Release Number: FNF-03-21
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 Rock bulkhead and Howarth's home in background.  Howarth's hurricane shutters installed at each window with one partially closed at second floor.  Neighbor's house built in the 1940's that received severe damage from Hurricane Isabel's force. |
HAMPTON, Va. -- In the Grand View area of Hampton, along Lighthouse Drive and overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, many homes built in the 1940’s were severely damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Isabel. Some adjacent homes built within the last eight years sustained less damage. The difference can be attributed to building code requirements adopted in the early 1980’s in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Matina Howarth, a Hampton resident, always thought hurricanes needed to be taken seriously, having lived in New England as a child when Hurricane Bob hit. When she and her husband bought an elevated waterfront home on Grand View Drive in Hampton three years ago, she insisted large rocks be placed on the shoreline as a protective bulkhead system.
“I talked with the neighbors in this area and asked a lot of questions about measures we could take. I especially spoke with residents who didn’t have major damage during Floyd. Most of them had these huge rocks,” she said. The Howarth’s specified that very large rock should be used as part of the bulkhead protection system in front of their home. She goes on to say, “I then negotiated the expense of the rock into the purchase price of the house. When we got the rocks, we paid a lot for them, but we knew we needed them. It took two weeks just to get the rocks in here, because of their size.” The trucks delivering Mrs. Howarth’s rock could only carry four or five at a time because of their weight. She also used hurricane shutters on most of her home’s 33 windows. “My husband didn’t want to get the shutters but I made sure we had them. He now swears by them.”
Upon Hurricane Isabel’s approach, the Howarths followed the evacuation order for her area. Upon her return, they found they’re home, for the most part, unscathed. The garage had no water in it, however the first floor living room carpet was wet. The only damage outside was to a fence, an aboveground pool, and the bulkhead, but the structure of the home is intact. “ I consider this no damage, when I think of what could have happened. We will need to replace the carpet in the living room with tile because the wallboard did wick up the water.”
When Hurricane Isabel began as a category five storm, Matina Howarth thought she’d never see her house again. “We began moving personal property out, but as the hurricane’s category dropped we thenelevated everything. It was great to come home and find the measures we took had paid off and our home was safe.”
During the 1940’s, homes were built below the 100-year flood plain, according to David Langille, chief inspector with the Hampton Codes Compliance Department. “Of the homes on Grandview Drive, we had approximately
$1 million in damage to just a few of them. Because these homes are all about 3 years old the building codes are much stricter, houses must be built above the 100-year flood plain.
In comparison, the homes built during the 1940’s were mostly cottages, and that area received at least $4 million in damages.” Some newer homes built during the 1980’s in the Lighthouse Drive area where their owners installed pilings and breakaway walls, suffered less damage from Hurricane Isabel’s force. Many of the residents of Lighthouse Drive have expressed interest in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) measures. Chief Langille said that four residents of Lighthouse Drive have already signed on for HMGP, and he has appointments with 12 others and several more requests for applications. “I will be aggressively pursuing the elevation of these homes. I know it may take a while, but we are still going to do what we have to.”
Chief Langille said, “I think everyone has done a wonderful job, I have nothing but good things to say about FEMA. The sad thing about Hurricane Isabel and the lessons we can learn is that many people did not have flood insurance.”
This is just one example of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) construction requirements effectiveness during one incident. Cumulative data demonstrates that NFIP standards result in 25 percent reduction in the severity of losses among those buildings that are damaged by floods and a 69 percent reduction in the frequency of those damages.
For those residents who have flood insurance and received substantial damage, as determined by the local floodplain administrator, up to $30,000 could be available to help pay for the cost to comply with the local ordnances, which can include elevating buildings.
If you are interested in participating in a mitigation grant program, please contact your local officials for more information.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following a national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 05-Dec-2003 13:39:05