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Lessons Learned in Grand View Area of Hampton

HAMPTON, VA - Matina Howarth always thought hurricanes needed to be taken seriously, having lived in New England as a child when Hurricane Bob (1991) hit. After she and her husband bought a waterfront home built already in compliance with the city’s floodplain regulations to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), they had a large rock bulkhead installed on their waterfront embankment.

 

“I talked with the neighbors in this area and asked a lot of questions about measures we could take. I especially spoke with residents who didn’t have major damage during Hurricane Floyd. Most of the area residents had these huge rocks,” she said. They were told not to use the smaller riprap rock because they were told it would move too easily and end up inside their home during strong storms. The Howarth’s specified that very large rock should be used as part of the bulkhead protection system in front of their home. They spent $30,000 on the large rock. She goes on to say, “I then negotiated the  expense of the rock into the purchase price of the house.”

 

In addition to the large rocks, Howarth had hurricane shutters installed on their home’s 33 windows. “My husband didn’t want to get the shutters but I made sure we had them. He now swears by them.”

 

Upon Hurricane Isabel’s approach as a category five storm, the Howarths followed the evacuation order for the area. Upon return, they found their home, for the most part, unscathed. The only damage outside was to a fence and an aboveground pool. The garage had no water in it, and the first floor living room carpet was wet. The structure of the home was intact.

 

In the Grand View area overlooking the Chesapeake Bay, many homes built in the 1940s were severely damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Isabel. Yet, some adjacent homes built within the last eight years sustained less damage. The difference? Building code requirements adopted in the early 1980s in compliance with the NFIP.

 

These newer homes were built above the 100-year flood plain with pilings and breakaway walls,” David Langille, chief inspector with the Hampton Codes Compliance Department explains. “The homes built during the 1940s were mostly cottages, and that area received at least $4 million in damages.” The typical 1940s cottage style home was one story with the floor and outside grade levels practically the same.

 

The installation of hurricane shutters and the large rock bulkhead reduced the damage of Hurricane Isabel. “I consider this no damage, when I think of what could have happened. It was great to come home and find the measures we took had paid off and our home was safe,” said Howarth.

 

2009 Follow-up:

 

Matina Howarth related that in the most recent storm event in November 2009 led her and her husband, Gary, to the decision to replace their shingle roof with a metal roof to avoid the constant loss of shingles to storm winds. They also improved the landscaping with grass and plantings and installed a landscaping drain. The new grass and plants helped secure the soil from washing away, and the drain carried the accumulated water away from their house, yard, and neighbor’s properties. The Howarths also elevated an outside electric receptacle at the rear of the house after Hurricane Isabel (2003) to keep it high and dry. The cement board siding, embankment covered in large stone, and the hurricane shutters continue to protect their home as designed.

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