By: Allie Olsonoski, Project Manager, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds and Rachel Rhode, Manager, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds
Flooding is a growing challenge for communities across the United States, particularly in coastal areas. More frequent and extreme storms, rising sea levels, coastal erosion and land subsidence (sinking) are putting people and property at greater risk. While many states and localities are actively working to reduce risk for communities, large infrastructure solutions like levees and seawalls aren’t always possible or practical—especially in rural areas.
In many cases, a more cost-effective solution is not to try to block the water, but to adapt to it. One approach that has been rising to the top is employing ‘nonstructural’ practices, namely home elevation.
As more states begin exploring home elevation programs, they will need to push for local engagement strategies in the communities where they work, in order to be successful.