Damage assessment begins on houses in floodplain
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — As Columbia starts to dry out, there’s a new crew moving through flood-damaged neighborhoods. They’re assessing how badly damaged your houses are. If you live in the floodplain, you do not have a choice; the evaluation has to be done. The findings of these estimates will determine how those of you living in the floodplain go about renovating and rebuilding. Crews took-in damage at houses along Old Neck Road on Lake Katherine Wednesday evening. Department of Natural Resource employees have been on the ground since Monday, training City of Columbia employees to do these “Substantial Damage Estimate Assessments.” Every house in the floodplain needs an assessment. That’s because of the City of Columbia’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program They’ll put their findings into “substantial damage estimator” software provided by FEMA. The city will use that information when determining permitting requirements. If the damage to your home is 50% or greater, the house must come into compliance with the current code. If it’s not already two-feet above the floodplain, that would mean raising your house to that elevation. That’s what the current code requires. If your house is in compliance, you still need those permits to do any work on it. Regardless of what they find, State Coordinator for the National Flood Insurance Program, Maria Cox Lamm, says it’s crucial that you get this assessment. “So before you do any repairs to the house, please contact your local government,” she says. The City of Columbia and Richland County will hold Floodplain Permit Repair Open Houses. Those currently scheduled are as follows: one space· Thursday, October 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kilbourne Park Baptist Church 4205 Kilbourne Rd one space· Monday, October 19, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Woodland Park 6500 Olde Knight Parkway one space· Monday, October 19, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. M.L. Smith Community Center 5213 Farrow Road (across the street from the Greater St. Luke Baptist Church) The Flood Repair Permitting Open Houses are designed to answer homeowner and contractor questions about the permitting application process in a one-on-one setting. Spanish interpreters will be available at both open houses. Flood Repair Permitting Open House attendees can learn whether their property is in a floodplain, pick up the permit application packet, determine their property value, and have any questions regarding the application process answered. No permits will be issued at these meetings. City permits can only be issued at Washington Square (1136 Washington Street). City of Columbia residents can find out more about the City’s floodplain permitting policy at http://www.columbiasc.net/headlines/100420151500-flood. To determine if you are eligible to receive disaster assistance, please go to http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.
