FEMA’s new rules governing rebuilding after disasters will take into account the impacts of climate change on future flood risk.
For decades, the agency has followed a 100-year floodplain standard—an area that has a 1% chance of flooding in a given year. The new standard will factor in the impact of climate change such as rising sea level and heavier rainfalls when it funds rebuilding projects.
In coastal areas, the agency will account for increased erosion projected to worsen this century. To reduce flood risk, the agency will build farther from the water wherever possible and will raise structures on stilts and pilings.
Along rivers, FEMA will rebuild at least as high as the 500-year floodplain, and sometimes higher for essential infrastructure such as bridges and hospitals. Similar standards in Houston are credited with savings thousands of homes from flooding earlier this month during Hurricane Beryl.
Related Stories
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
| Apr 19, 2012
Michigan legislature tackling controversial rules on electricians
A fight is brewing in the Michigan legislature over how many fully qualified electricians must be present during electrical work when apprentices also are on hand.
| Apr 19, 2012
Washington city may base building code on rising sea level due to global warming
Aberdeen may become the first city in Washington to base a building code on rising oceans and global warming.
| Apr 19, 2012
CSI webinar on energy codes and building envelopes
This seminar will review recent changes in energy codes, examples of building enclosure wall assemblies for code compliance, potential moisture management and durability challenges, and design tools to assess and minimize potential problems.
| Apr 19, 2012
Innovative plan for storm water in Philadelphia gets EPA’s OK
Philadelphia's $2 billion plan to manage its storm water with green methods including porous pavement, green roofs, and more trees, was officially approved last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
| Apr 19, 2012
LEED 2012 to include new credit category for transit-oriented development
The updated LEED 2012 system will introduce a new credit category, “Location and Transportation,” to encourage development oriented around public transit and more walkable communities.
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
| Apr 16, 2012
University of Michigan study seeks to create efficient building design
The result, the researchers say, could be technologies capable of cutting the carbon footprint created by the huge power demands buildings place on the nation’s electrical grid.
