This is a no-brainer:
Governments, insurance companies and lenders in Gulf Coast jurisdictions should permit building and rebuilding of structures in flood- and storm-surge areas only if they are constructed on stilts embedded in reinforced concrete.
Garages and other non-living areas would be permitted underneath the structures, with steel side ramps and front circular stairways allowing access to upper floors positioned at least 10 feet above ground level.
Such building codes would prevent or alleviate major damage should future storms break or bypass levees and other artificial barriers.
More stringent building codes would require the stilt structures to withstand winds and gusts associated with major hurricanes.
Flooded garages, laundry rooms and storage areas would mean less-expensive outlays from tax- and insurance premium-payers.
Fat chance. (9 OCTOBER 2005)
