650 Galveston Co. Homes Returning To Nature

[editor]

Now, lots are vacant, and the beach is about 30 yards from what passes for a dune line. The properties that once lined the road now are owned by the county and will be vacant forever.

Galveston County is in the final stages of one of the largest property buyout programs in United States history.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/222694/

[TheNiche]

Does anybody have the inside scoop on this? I'd be interested to see if there's any kind of master plan.

[dbigtex56]

Seems realistic. Even if one is willing to build on land which is vulnerable to the inevitable storms, the mess created when it's wiped off the map is a cost which we all must bear. The debris of weekend houses demolished by Hurricane Ike will choke natural areas for decades.

When the Brownwood subdivision in Baytown was obliterated by Hurricane Alicia, a decision was made to allow the land to revert to a more natural state. This seems like an environmentally sound solution, and one which will prevent future heartache for those who are tempted to build in susceptible places.

[TheNiche]

Seems realistic. Even if one is willing to build on land which is vulnerable to the inevitable storms, the mess created when it's wiped off the map is a cost which we all must bear. The debris of weekend houses demolished by Hurricane Ike will choke natural areas for decades.

When the Brownwood subdivision in Baytown was obliterated by Hurricane Alicia, a decision was made to allow the land to revert to a more natural state. This seems like an environmentally sound solution, and one which will prevent future heartache for those who are tempted to build in susceptible places.

I'm thinking that a better solution would be to require that coastal homes built from here on out must adhere to some fairly straightforward building codes in order to be eligible for the NFIP. (You'll notice that Tiki Island has these and did not suffer especially much as compared to other low-lying communities such as Bayou Vista, Omega Bay, San Leon, or Oak Island.) Without a federally subsidized insurer, it would be extremely difficult to finance the construction, purchase, and continued ownership of such inadequate homes.

[dbigtex56]

I'm thinking that a better solution would be to require that coastal homes built from here on out must adhere to some fairly straightforward building codes in order to be eligible for the NFIP. (You'll notice that Tiki Island has these and did not suffer especially much as compared to other low-lying communities such as Bayou Vista, Omega Bay, San Leon, or Oak Island.) Without a federally subsidized insurer, it would be extremely difficult to finance the construction, purchase, and continued ownership of such inadequate homes.

Oh, good. We somewhat agree. I'd rather see the NFIP outright red-line areas which are patently at risk. Waterfront properties are certainly desirable; few are invulnerable to natural changes. Waterfront is a temporary condition.

Those who have money enough to take that risk are welcome do do so. I think it's unfair to ask others to assume responsibility for others' gambles.

edit: double post.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

I'm thinking that a better solution would be to require that coastal homes built from here on out must adhere to some fairly straightforward building codes in order to be eligible for the NFIP. (You'll notice that Tiki Island has these and did not suffer especially much as compared to other low-lying communities such as Bayou Vista, Omega Bay, San Leon, or Oak Island.) Without a federally subsidized insurer, it would be extremely difficult to finance the construction, purchase, and continued ownership of such inadequate homes.

Problem with federally subsidizing flood insurance is that the true costs of paying out the insurance aren't met...which is why the NFIP is almost $18 Billion in debt, with only $3 Billion in premiums collected each year.

I guess if we could just get a nice 6 or 7 year stretch with no federal flood disasters, the NFIP could get back to break-even. Apparently it keeps raining across the country (despite all recent observations here in Texas).

The federal government, by subsidizing flood insurance, is promoting development (or re-development) in high-risk areas.

Why not make flood insurance premiums reflect the true costs?

[samagon]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to do what Miami does and pump sand onto the beach?

[TheNiche]

Why not make flood insurance premiums reflect the true costs?

That'd be nice, too, but the NFIP enjoys bipartisan support. Abolishing it or reforming it substantially would churn up some positively nasty politics in Flordia, a swing state.