Tag Archives | adaptation & mitigation

FEMA Releases Guidance for 2011 Mitigation Grant Programs

Via the always useful CZMA Climate Change and Coastal Hazards E-News Update newsletter: The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Guidance” (176 pp.) represents the unification of all five of the agency’s hazard mitigation grant programs into one guidance document. These programs, which provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce […]

NOAA Announces New Coastal Resilience Networks Grant Program

From our friends at NOAA: CRest Grant Program – Coastal Resilience Networks Pacific Islands – Gulf of Mexico – West Coast Coastal Resilience Networks (CRest) is a new and exciting grant opportunity for the Pacific Islands, Gulf of Mexico, and West Coast regions. The program funds projects that help communities become more resilient to the […]

3ft of Freeboard? I'll Take 12ft!

After Hurricane Ike bashed a hole in their roof and left their first floor uninhabitable, FEMA experts recommended that Galveston residents Matt and Lauren Johnson elevate their home 3′ above the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program. The Johnsons went for 12′ instead. “Even if it costs us more now, whatever costs us […]

Houston at Great Hurricane Risk

Houston is hugely underprepared for a major hurricane, a new Rice University study found. Among the findings of Learning the Lessons of Hurricane Ike: Existing dikes and levees along the Houston Ship Channel were barely adequate during Hurricane Ike and would not protect all refineries from the storm surge of a more powerful hurricane or […]

Editorial Advises Better Planning and Building, NOT the Ike Dike

A new Houston Chronicle article argues that building the so-called “Ike Dike” will put more, not less people and property at great risk, and that the best way to protect property from hazards is to keep them out of hazardous areas. In “Forget the Ike Dike, let’s improve building methods” Texas A&M professor John Jacob […]

Texas Town Tightens Development Rules

The City Council of Galveston recently approved new beach-front construction regulations.  The new rules push new development 75 feet back from the north toe of dunes, or 350 feet from the mean high-water line, whichever line is farther landward.  They are seen locally as a compromise with some wanting stricter regulations while others did not […]

Galveston to Rebuild & Retrofit Ike-Damaged Wastewater Plant with Federal Funds

The Galveston County Daily News is reporting that the city will use $107 million in federal disaster aid to rebuild its main wastewater treatment plant and repair other infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ike. The rebuild will include a retrofit to elevate the treatment facility 13 feet in an attempt to avoid future storm surge damages. […]

With Crumbling Seawalls and Limited Resources, France Struggles with Storms

The Associated Press is reporting on the aftermath of Xynthia, the storm that slammed into Europe last weekend. The hurricane-force winds and huge storm surge destroyed seawalls and killed dozens there. The article focuses on the past, present, and future challenges of devastated historic towns along the French coast. New homes have cropped up chaotically […]

Small-Town Cape Cod Also Losing Beaches VIDEO

Like California, eroding beaches on Cape Cod are threatening utilities, roads, and homes. (click on picture to watch video on NECN’s site). Erosion Concerns on Cape Cod (via NECN)

California Battles Disappearing Coastal Bluffs VIDEO

California struggles with bigger waves and falling homes. Click on the picture to head over to their site for the video. “Debate Emerges on How to Fight Coastal Erosion” via KGO-TV.