If you thought installing the type of flood plain panels you see in this picture, to protect your home from the next hurricane would be smart, you’d be wrong. In fact the 5 or 6 homes on the island that have installed them need to remove them.
With an always changing rule-book, FEMA has told the town these very expensive products homeowners are beginning to install on their homes are not allowed. The reasoning is that they can trap the water inside the homes if a storm surge enters the structure. Once installed, the structure is legally considered unsafe for occupancy.
If a company pitching you these products tells you they can be installed without a permit they are misleading you.
Flood plain regulations require new builds to allow water to flow through the structures, not trap it in. The town has also been told that attaching these panels is a ‘building alteration.’ In some cases, limited protection may be possible but not for your entire lower level.
It’s important not to confuse these panels with your typical hurricane shutters, which are legal. The shutters are designed to protect homes from the wind. These panels were invented and sold to residents to stop the water. The majority of damage from Hurricane Ian was due to storm sturge.
As of today about 5-6 homes have installed these panels and they’ve received, or will receive, code violations.
This applies to residential homes only and it’s the entire island. Condo buildings appear to be in a gray area so you should call the town first before installing these panels on your condo building.
The Town Council is working on a messaging campaign to get out to residents.
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