Challenge
Discover Puerto Rico’s site states, “Puerto Rico is a place where the Old World is mashed up with the new on an island that is small in size but offers an immense bounty of one-of-a-kind experiences.”
As an island, flooding is a real risk. Repairing and rebuilding to higher standards is a personal choice.
Solution
After losing her wood-framed home to Hurricane María in September 2017, Kathy Valentine Hall, a marine biologist, and expert in sea turtles, decided to build back stronger.
With help from FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program, a U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan, her life savings and help from friends, Kathy built a hurricane-resistant home. She used mitigation measures in the new concrete structure, following building codes and using proper materials.
Kathy and her husband moved to Puerto Rico in 1982, so she could pursue a marine biology master’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and write grants to research sea turtles. Back in the day, they purchased land in Isabela, and a hurricane-strong prefabricated wood framed home kit.
They built the house following the instructions’ manual that came with it. Built on 10- foot pilings, it endured several hurricanes, including Georges in 1998, but it was no match for María. Only the pilings and a small concrete ground room remained. “I saw my house destroyed and I was in shock,” Kathy said.
Determined to bounce back, and rebuild better and stronger, she gathered her resources, and broke ground on the project. This time she was on her own, her husband died about two years before María.
Her friends volunteered to help. When the government waived permit fees for 180 days after the storm, Kathy took advantage of it. She hired some highly recommended laborers and enlisted the help of another friend—an engineer—who drew up plans and inspected the project as it progressed. He worked for a discounted fee.
As recommended by the engineer, she kept the original concrete pilings and room as foundation for the new house. Concrete pilings can resist coastal hazards such as high winds and flooding impacts in addition to withstanding erosion.
A rainwater collection system, solar panels for hot water, hurricane windows and doors with tinted glass installed in the house design. The rainwater system collects runoff, stores water for everyday use. The water is for irrigation, flushing toilets, washing clothes, washing cars and pressure washing. Rainwater may be purified for use as everyday drinking water. The commercial hurricane doors and windows protect the house from water and high winds, and allow natural light inside, help keep the house cooler and reduce the amount of power needed to light it, during power outages.
Taking these mitigation measures was particularly important for Kathy because she resides in a coastal zone in Isabela, in the northwestern part of Puerto Rico.
Coastal areas homes designed and built to withstand higher loads and more extreme conditions offer greater protections. These protections result in higher costs to design, construct, maintain and repair the home, but they are not cost prohibitive. Moreover, the result is an increase in the value of the home, lowering insurance costs and providing peace of mind, which is priceless.
During construction, Kathy became the project manager. She used all the volunteer help she could get and maintained costs at minimum, without compromising safety.
Though Kathy faced many obstacles during the construction, especially materials being in short supply, she never gave up. She was successful in balancing the needs for safety and strength within a budget. Her project cost amounted to $65,000, an investment in her financial future.
“I thought I'd live in my wooden house forever but now I have a concrete roof over my head,” Kathy said.
Her experience demonstrates that taking measures to reduce risk can result in a hurricane- resistant home that is both safe and affordable.
Key Takeaways
The following resources are available:
- Homebuilder’s Guide to Coastal Construction: Planning ahead to protect your property after a disaster will lead to greater peace of mind in the future.:
- Coastal Flood Risk: Coastal communities face a range of unique flooding hazards including storm surge, waves and erosion—all of which can cause extensive damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.
- National Flood Insurance Program: Flood insurance may help you recover faster after a flood event.
- Knowing simple steps you can take now to prevent wind damage may make all the difference later: Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings
- After a disaster, the Small Business Administration Mitigation Assistance may help you repair safer and stronger.