Most residents of Atlanta had probably never considered flooding to be a serious concern until September of 2009. That was when the threat became very real. Unfortunately, Atlanta residents got to experience what happens when a 500 year flood event comes to town.
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So, you may be wondering… “Is my house in a Flood Zone?“
When it comes to a major flood event and houses that fall within the 100 year flood zone, the ones that do not get destroyed have a couple of options. Restoration may be an option if the damage is not widespread. However, local governments have FEMA guidelines when it comes to how much money they will allow a homeowner to put back into a home that could flood again. If the projected restoration costs exceed these guidelines, the house will have to be raised up and reconstructed so that the lowest finished level is at least 3 ft above the 100 year flood elevation for that area.
Yes, the whole house!
Once the structure has been lifted up, the homes are set back down on new foundations with louvered vents to allow for any future flooding. This “tidewater” style of construction is found all the time at the beach. People in Atlanta just had to figure out how to make it blend in here. Below are some great examples of how tasteful architecture can pull it all together:
Raised in a Flood Zone
Raised in a Flood Zone
Raised in a Flood Zone
