Deaths from flooding in New York City during Hurricane Ida illustrate flaws in FEMA’s flood maps, according to critics.
Eleven people that drowned in their basement apartments lived in areas marked as low risk for severe flooding. The storm produced record rainfall that inundated the city’s sewer system and caused widespread flooding.
House Oversight and Reform Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) said she checked the addresses of all the homes where the drownings occurred and found that they were all in areas marked as having a minimal flood hazard. A FEMA official responded, saying the agency’s flood maps show areas that are high risk of coastal inundation or river overflow, but do not address areas facing the type of flooding that Hurricane Ida caused in New York City.
FEMA’s special flood hazard areas are only located in city neighborhoods adjacent to water. FEMA maps determine which property owners are subject to a federal requirement to have flood insurance.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 19, 2022
Canada’s Trudeau seeking building codes changes, net-zero emissions building strategy
Prime minister also wants net-zero electricity grid by 2035.
Codes and Standards | Jan 18, 2022
Greater emphasis on building materials needed to achieve net-zero carbon offices
Engineered wood, straw, and bamboo can be keys to achieving goal.
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2022
AISC seeks comments on draft earthquake standard for steel buildings
Includes new limits for cross-sectional slenderness of steel columns based on latest research.
Codes and Standards | Jan 12, 2022
California’s wildfire building code significantly reduces structural loss
As other states consider upgrading their codes, Golden State provides useful model.
Codes and Standards | Jan 12, 2022
Regulator holding back climate-friendly, energy-saving equipment deployment, critics say
Heat pumps, solar power could be made more accessible for low-income communities in Massachusetts.
Codes and Standards | Jan 11, 2022
Cost hikes drive nearly one million renters out of homeownership qualification in 2021
Household income needed to pay a mortgage rose to $62,872 from $55,186.
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2022
New ratings services focus on climate risk for homeowners
Efficacy of models used in risk assessment varies.
Codes and Standards | Jan 6, 2022
Virginia contractors having a tough time finding diverse subs to meet state goals
Survey of primes may indicate similar issues at federal level.
Codes and Standards | Jan 5, 2022
Boston drops parking requirements for affordable housing
Measure expected to spur new projects.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2022
Dept. of Energy Better Climate Challenge aims for 50% GHG emission reduction by 2030
Program offers technical assistance and peer-to-peer knowledge sharing.
