Georgia Flood Mitigation
BACKGROUND
In early July of 1994, Tropical Storm Alberto ravaged southern Georgia, leaving a trail of flooding and devastation that is considered the worst natural disaster in the state’s recorded history. Alberto, which meandered over the state for several days before dying out, dumped up to 28 inches of water in some areas. One third of Georgia’s counties were declared federal disaster areas.
Newton, Georgia
Some of the worst devastation in the flood occurred in Newton. The downtown area was under 12 feet of water for several days, and flood depths in some areas were as high as 20 feet. Over 150 homes and businesses were flooded. According to some local estimates, damages came to $4.5 million—that’s $5,000 for every man, woman, and child.
Albany, Georgia
As one of the larger cities in the path of Alberto, Albany was also one of the hardest hit. Within a few days of the storm’s arrival, the water level of the Flint River rose from 8 feet to 42 feet—22 feet above flood stage. Flash flooding overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, and nearly one third of the city’s residents were left homeless. Over 6,500 homes and hundreds of businesses were damaged or destroyed. Several schools were also destroyed.
PROJECT
In the Newton mitigation project, FEMA funded the acquisition and demolition of 20 residential and 19 commercial structures. All but one business moved out of the floodplain. The result? Many people were spared from the flooding that hit the town in 1998. Local officials indicate that eventually even more Newton residents are likely to move out of the floodplain.
In Albany, over 700 structures were approved for acquisition with funding from various government sources. Some homeowners who originally wanted to have their properties acquired, eventually decided not to join the program. Other structures, including the local schools, were rebuilt on higher ground. To date, a total of 146 structures have been "bought out" by FEMA. Data for 105 of these structures were available for purposes of this analysis. (Additional structures are expected to be considered for acquisition by FEMA.)
According to one local official, the buyout not only prevented flooding of hundreds of homes, but also permitted city workers to concentrate on preparing for flood waters during the March 1998 storm instead of evacuating people from low lying areas.
BENEFITS
Newton Analysis
- Project Cost $754,464
- Benefits $1,645,426
- Benefit-Cost Ratio 2.18
Avoided Damages
Newton
- Project Cost $754,464
- Avoided Damages $1,915,923
Albany
- Project Cost $2,478,476
- Avoided Damages $3,193,783
PROJECT COST
- Newton $754,464
- Albany $2,478,476
FUNDING SOURCES
- FEMA’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program provided the above figures.
- Albany – $10,496,599 in HUD CDBG funds also provided for acquisition of 1,132 housing units and vacant lots.
- Newton – $167,610 in HUD CDBG funds were used to acquire 52 residences, businesses, vacant lots and abandoned properties.
For copies of the comprehensive report entitled "Hazard Mitigation at Work - Two Georgia Communities" contact FEMA Region IV at 770-220-5200.
For a copy of "An Assessment of Floodplain Management in Georgia’s Flint River Basin", by Elliott Mittler, contact ASFPM at www.floods.org/pubs.htm or call 608-274-0123.
