The rules changed since Robert Moses was in charge

Reader comment on: Rockaways Nursing Home Back Story

Submitted by Lyle (United States), Nov 18, 2012 23:11

FIrst I suspect any bungalows on the Rockaways can not be rebuilt the way they were since they are in a coastal flood zone, they will have to be built on stilts (If damage exceeds 50% of the value). IN NYC that is the lowest structural member of the living area floor must be 2 feet above the 1% (100 year) flood elevation. So just as in New Orleans the communities will look very different than before as will the Jersey shore. (Allmost all built before the flood insurance system). Further note that non single family buildings must either be built that high or have water resistant walls to that high.

It is amazing on a related topic the number of times folks have to be hit on the head over basement flooding to get it right. Allison in 2000 in Houston showed the first issue with the flooding of Herman Hospital. Since then the generators have moved up to the top floors, but the oil pumps did not, yet we do know very well how to build a submersable oil pump, look at any pump jack on any older oil well and you have an example. Also consider that the Japanese nuclear disaster was essentially caused by ignoring the effect of flooding. I also saw that NYU hospital had a lot of expensive imaging equipment in the basement, which of course was flooded out. Perhaps in the future basements are for parking and loading and unloading only. (An diesel tank with an appropriate pump would be ok)

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