A lack of a coordinated regulatory environment for development and a failure to adequately warn residents of potential flooding dangers made flood impact worse from Hurricane Harvey, according to a new report.
The report by Colorado nonprofit ISET-International, the American Red Cross Global Disaster Preparedness Center, and Switzerland-based Zurich Insurance, also recommended making flood insurance more appealing to home and business owners. The report precedes an August election that will ask voters to approve $2.5 billion in bonds for flood control projects.
Hurricane Harvey made landfall last August as a Category 4 hurricane and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage in Texas. Thousands of homes in the Houston area were damaged.
The report cited numerous steps that could have been taken in the years before Harvey that would have reduced the impact of flooding from area reservoirs. These included not allowing homes to be built in the surrounding floodways and giving adequate disclosures about flooding risks to home buyers.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2017
New manual of IT connectivity guidelines for commercial developments, redevelopments released
Mobile capacity planning, conduit points of entry, and electrical resiliency are covered.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2017
Brick Industry Assn. study finds brick buildings cost less than precast, metal, and glass
The study compares costs in five categories of construction.
Codes and Standards | Mar 21, 2017
Calif. shopping center is first to earn BREEAM USA In-Use certification
The certification measures and monitors environmental performance of existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 20, 2017
Professional liability insurance rates for architects and engineers expected to be stable in 2017
Premiums leveled off in 2015, and claims have been stable, helping to hold costs down.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2017
Energy Star program at risk
The standard-setting initiative for energy-efficient products may be a victim of Trump budget cuts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 14, 2017
Timber Innovation Act to promote tall wood buildings introduced in Congress
The measure has bipartisan support.
Codes and Standards | Mar 13, 2017
U.S. House and Senate have voted to repeal Dept. of Labor’s 'blacklisting' rule
The rule mandates labor compliance review for federal construction contractors.
Codes and Standards | Mar 9, 2017
WiredScore forms Connectivity Advisory Committee
The committee's creation is an important step forward for the group that evaluates internet connectivity in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Mar 8, 2017
New guide examines multifamily high-performance ventilation
The focus is on cost and performance of various systems.
Codes and Standards | Mar 7, 2017
Canada’s national building codes will encompass effects of climate change
Forecasted data, not historical data, will be used as the basis for the codes.