Preparing for the NEXT BIG ONE

in Scituate

Powerpoint prepared by Laura Harbottle, Town Planner, with thanks to Vin Kalishes, Conservation Agent and Neil Duggan, Building Commissioner for pictures and information on current Building Code and local regulations.

Water is everywhere in Scituate…

And generally, its a wonderful asset

But with its beauty come some potential problems.

So, how are we preparing for the NEXT BIG ONE ?

• Some history of storms in Scituate • What the Town is doing:– Regulations– Programs– Next Steps

One of the most destructive storms in recent memory was the Blizzard of ’78.

Residents suffered huge losses of property.

Damage to utilities and infrastructure was heavy.

And damage to both homes and vehicles was extreme.

The Perfect Storm of 1991 also brought severe losses to Scituate. Loss of homes may have

been the hardest and most immediate impact.

More extreme damage from this storm.

Many homes were devastated.

Severe storms are part of Scituate’s history. Here are scenes from the Portland Gale, 1898.

What’s the Town’s approach?

Waterfront property has high value and is very developable.

Building on “the edge” means property is subject to powerful wave action.

How are we addressing the coastal storm threat ?

• Regulations:– State Building Code is currently stricter than FEMA

requires. 2’ elevation above BFE required in Velocity Zones.

– Zoning Overlay District created in 1972 prohibits new construction in flood prone areas (Flood Plain and Watershed Protection District.)

– Local Conservation Commission bylaw requires 1’ elevation above BFE.

Besides regulations we have…

• Programs:– CRS participation, with an active committee and

ongoing meetings– Elevation Grants– Weather station connected to NWS for early

warning on Nor’easters

FEMA Elevation Grants

• The Planning Department has been very involved with the FEMA Elevation Grant Program. Requirements for homeowners include:– Homeowners must maintain flood insurance currently

and promise to maintain it in the future– Improvements must comply with State Building Code,

Conservation Commission and FEMA regs– Homeowners must apply to Planning Dept., so

property can be included in their application to FEMA

Background on the program:

• There are multiple programs available, including Flood Mitigation Assistance, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Severe Repetitive Loss program

• Funding is provided from flood insurance payments and for some programs, also federal tax revenue

• FEMA is generally looking to assist properties with a positive benefit-cost ratio

The Grant Program for homeowners:

• Home elevation is eligible for reimbursement of up to 75% of cost, or $40,000, whichever is lower.

• Utility elevation is eligible for reimbursement of up to 75% of cost, or $10,000.

• Generally, to meet the benefit-cost ratio, homeowners must be able to show a record of losses equal or greater to the grant amount based on insurance claims or other records.

Elevation is a serious undertaking; a structural engineer and surveyor are required.

During elevation, utilities have to be disconnected and reconnected…

Another home with a new support system in place through an Elevation Grant…

A home in Humarock that was elevated with a FEMA grant.

“Secrets” of our success:

• Many town officials lived through some critically severe storms and support strong enforcement of the building code, zoning and local wetlands bylaw

• The Town has promoted programs to help citizens – CRS and flood elevation grants

• Our successes have come from many people’s efforts