Charleston County Building Services has executed several federal grant funded projects related to flood mitigation. In one, a project was completed which mitigated repetitive flooding by elevating a home located in Unincorporated Charleston County. This project provides savings for $1,050,000 in damage costs, according to FEMA’s estimated 600% Return on Investment (ROI) on natural hazard mitigation.
Furthermore, the County is conducting a Buyout Program Feasibility Study to alleviate repetitive flooding in high-risk areas. The project continues on its pre-award unobligated phase waiting for FEMA funding approval. This is a proposed phased grant project now projected to last 4 years, including pre-award phase. Floodplain Management has applied to FEMA for a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding through the SCEMD as a sub-recipient. This project is to reduce flooding potential during 100-year (1%) flood events by way of elevating the structures. Charleston County proposal on behalf of property owners seeks to mitigate property losses and protect the lives of citizens from natural and man-made environmental disasters. The proposed project would assist homeowners in elevating the finished floor or lowest horizontal structural member of residential structures built prior to 1985 at or above Defined Flood Elevation (Base Flood Elevation plus two feet freeboard.)