GALVESTON COUNTY, TX – When Hurricane Ike slammed into the City of Galveston, on September 11, 2008, Matt and Lauren Johnson’s home was left with a hole in the roof and an unlivable first floor.
Although their home was elevated slightly above the minimum requirement, it still had 2 feet of water in it. After Hurricane Ike, FEMA sent a forensic engineering team (a Mitigation Assessment Team [MAT]) to Galveston and the surrounding areas. The MAT recommended that houses be elevated 3 feet above the bare minimum required (http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=3654). By providing this extra elevation or "freeboard," not only are future damages lessened, but flood insurance premiums are greatly reduced.
The Johnsons decided to elevate their home and Mr. Johnson’s father, who is an architect, drew up the plans to elevate it an additional 12 feet, including a 2-foot slab and 10-foot walls and pillars. (FEMA also recommends wind retrofitting measures for such projects.) The elevation took from August 2009 to Thanksgiving 2009. “I highly encourage everyone to do [the remodel] themselves if you have the tools,” stated Mr. Johnson.
The Johnsons are confident they have built to code and have documented this process by keeping receipts and taking pictures of every step. Mrs. Johnson said that “If we didn’t have [documentation] we’d be in big trouble.” They have been questioned a few times during the project, but because there are pictures proving the work meets the requirements, they have been allowed to continue building. This documentation will also guarantee the house is Texas Windstorm Certified upon completion. The Johnsons’ hope is to be done with the entire remodel by Christmas 2010.
The Johnsons said the 10-foot space below the lowest floor will only be used as a garage and storage for tools. Their philosophy is “Even if it costs us more now, whatever costs us less in the long-run is what we’re going for. We’re going to do this right so it will be here in 100 years for our children and our grandchildren.”