Post-Storm Model for Reconstruction of Habitable Coastal Structures

Florida, which is one of the most storm-prone states in the United States, experienced several major hurricanes such as Andrew, Georges, Earl, and Opal in the last decade. The tremendous population growth in the Florida coastal region has increased the volume of coastal residential construction, enhancing the possibility of storm damage. After a storm is over, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and local government personnel identify the amount of damage sustained by structures and follow the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “50% substantial damage rule” to determine the repairability of structures on a case-by-case basis. This process requires a substantial amount of personnel time and effort, often delaying the permitting process. Currently, there is no convenient decision-making tool to quickly assess damaged structures after a storm and place them in “repair” or “rebuild” categories. In this study, decision matrices were developed based on the current construction cost data, identified damage levels, factors affecting decision making, and current requirements of Florida Statutes, Chapter 161, the Florida Department of Natural Resources, the Florida Department of Community Affairs, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Decision-making software was developed that can be used in the field to quickly classify structures for rebuildability and to provide approximate repair costs.