As a result of Hurricane Ike,
Blue Water Highway
in Brazoria County, TX
had significant damage
making the road impassable.
 
It is the primary road
to the west side communities
from Galveston.

FEMA's Public Assistance Program
provides funding for eligible
disaster-related expenses
and plays a vital role
in the State's recovery.

Blue Water Highway was hit particularly hard by Hurricane Ike. The road sustained a significant amount of damage in some areas as a result of undermining and in other areas it was completely destroyed where it was washed out. Although storm surge generated by Hurricane Ike ranged from seven to ten feet along the length of the road, a considerable number of washouts were caused by return flows from neighboring wetland areas.
 
In order to give the county time to affect repairs to20the road an emergency berm is going to be placed adjacent to the highway in areas with the most severe beach damage. A berm is a linear mound of sand that mimics a natural dune system and is not intended to be permanent.
 
FEMA, through the Public Assistance Program may provide reimbursement for an emergency protective measure including the sand berm.
 
Temporary repairs to an essential link, such as Blue Water Highway, which connects Galveston to the west end of the island, may also be reimbursable.
 
Before permanent repairs to the road can be made environmental concerns must be addressed. In this case, the road is adjacent to a potential turtle nesting area and piping clover habitat. One additional issue is that a portion of the road resides in a COBRA zone. The purpose of COBRA, or Coastal Barrier Resources Act, was to eliminate federal subsidies for development on barrier islands thereby reducing the loss of human life and property as a result of storms.
 
For the portion of Blue Water Highway residing in a COBRA zone, FEMA may only provide reimbursement to return the road to pre-disaster condition. Although temporary repairs have made the road passable, plans are in development to permanently restore the highway.
 
 
Funding eligibility for any project
is contingent upon compliance
with all local, state and federal regulations.

 For more information, visit: www.fema.gov