superstorm sandy - impacts and recovery in charlestown, rhode island

Just a Tropical Storm!

• “We’re too far North!”

• “The Ocean water is too cold!”

• “They always turn out to sea!”

•“It won’t Happen here!”

October 30, 2012

The day after……..

• Structural

• Electrical

• Fuel Systems

• Water Damage

• Septic Systems (OWTS)

• Potable Water Contamination

• 82 Green Placards (Occupancy Permitted)

• 26 Yellow Placards (Restricted Use)

• 10 Red Placards (Unsafe)

1. Emergency Repairs/Shoring

2. Evaluation of Structures for “Substantial Damage”

3. DEM Review & Approval

4. CRMC Review & Approval

5. Town Zoning

6. Building Permits

7. Inspections

8. Certificate of Use and Occupancy

When do we open a street or neighborhood while minimizing

congestion on the roadways, preventing chaos and potential

looting and still ensure public safety; with an ultimate goal of

allowing residents into their dwellings as soon as possible to

perform necessary emergency repairs?

Step 1

SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE – “Damage of any origin sustained by a

structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-

damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the

market value of the structure before the damage occurred.”

RIGL 23-27.3-106.2 – “If the building is damaged by fire or any

other cause to an extent in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the

physical value of the building before the damage incurred, this

code’s requirement for flood resistant construction for new

structures shall apply.”

Step 2

• Public Education

• Costs included for Substantial Damage vs. Costs included for

Building Permit

• Contractor Estimates

• Tax Assessments (Re-valuation Year)

• Detailed Evaluation (40-60%)

• Private Appraisals

• Breakdown of Construction Estimate

• Substantial Improvement?

• Substantial Damage Letters

• Meetings with Local

Building Officials & DEM

• Waiver of CRMC Permits

for roofing & Siding

• Emergency Permits &

Regulations

• On-Site Visits

• Emergency Regulations

• Holding Tanks

• On-Site Visits

• Streamlined Review Process

for Permit

Concurrent Review by CRMC & DEM

Step 3 & 4

Dwellings relocated in

compliance with DEM,

CRMC and Town Zoning

Post-storm

house location

Pre-storm

house location

Height?

Setbacks?

Timeline?

Step 5

Building Codes are

Working!

Step 6

• 3 sets of plans to include foundation plan, floor plan, framing

plan, cross section and elevations

• Designed for appropriate wind and flood zone

• DEM Approval

• CRMC Approval

• Zoning Approval

2010 FIRMS 2013 FIRMS

Step 7

• Required for Insurance

• Banks

• FEMA Funding

• ICC Compliance Payment

• Safety

Step 8

• Established a Communication Path between Building Officials, DEM,

CRMC & FEMA

• Revised the Inspection Placards and Rapid Inspection Forms

• Revised the public outreach program

• Application to the CRS Program

• Established a pass/entry system

• Assembled a Storm Ready Kit for the Building Department

• All employees are Essential

• Importance of GIS

• Town adopted new Floodplain Ordinance allowing a maximum of

300 sq. ft. of breakaway wall enclosure in the V-Zone

• Building Codes are Working

Code Approved?

• The public seems to be well aware of the potential damage

resulting from high winds; however most seem to be unaware of

the potential impacts of flooding, resulting from storm surge or

heavy rainfall, which can have a much more devastating impact

than the wind, far inland from the coastline. How do we better

prepare and educate homeowners of the dangers and

devastation caused by flooding prior to them having to learn

the hard way?