Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Feasibility: Federal funding support for an elevation project requires a study that shows that the <br />benefits of the project exceed the cost. <br /> <br />Elevating a masonry home or a slab can be very expensive, up to $100,000. Looking at each <br />property individually could result in funding for the worst case properties, i.e., those that are <br />lowest, subject to the most frequent flooding, and is structurally sound enough to elevate. <br /> <br />IV. Barriers to Floodwaters <br /> <br />Small floodwalls, levees, or berms could be constructed around one or more properties. Such <br />barriers are not recommended for flood depths greater than three feet. Barriers are appropriate <br />for most homes in Brookglen given the flood depths reported by residents on the returned data <br />sheets. Levees and berms are more suitable for larger lots. However, small floodwalls that are <br />located close to the hosue are appropriate for suburban neighborhoods such as Brookglen. If a <br />floodwall is built around a house, it is important to include a sump pump with a backup generator <br />so that rainwater can be pumped to the outside of the protected space. An engineer should be <br />consulted before beginning a floodwall project, and residents should contact the La Porte <br />Planning Department to acquire a permit. Figures 3-3 and 3-4 show an example of a floodwall <br />and sump pump. <br /> <br /> <br />... .. <br />IC~ <br />l....... <br /> <br />,:., , <br /> <br />Figure 3-3: This home is surrounded by a <br />floodwall, but the garage door must be <br />sandbagged when the area floods. The <br />wall doubles as a planter box to reduce <br />the visual impact of a flood protection <br />structure. <br /> <br />.., <br /> <br /> <br />Figure 3-4: Rain water and seepage <br />under this floodwall collect in the basin, <br />or sump, and is pumped over the wall <br />by a sump pump. <br /> <br />Another concern is the permeability of the soil. Permeable soil will allow floodwaters to seep <br />under the barrier. This is a particular problem when floodwaters remain for a long time. There <br />are different types of soil found throughout La Porte. The Brookglen neighborhood has a type of <br />soil called Lake Charles Clay. Clay is the most ideal type of soil for building a floodwall. <br />However, before building a floodwall, it is advised to have the soil on site tested to determine the <br />permeability. Figure 3-5 shows the different soil types in and near the study area. <br /> <br />Brookglen Area Analysis - DRAFT <br /> <br />9/8/2008 <br /> <br />19 <br />