Tag Archives: FEMA

Why do local officials permit building of HOA, condo communities on a flood plain?

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Members of neighborhing HOA voice concerns about new development By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities No matter how many properties are damaged or destroyed by floods each year, developers and home builders keep pushing to build new communities on the 100-year flood plain. It’s important for readers to understand that the chance of a property sustaining flood damage in a 100-year flood plain is NOT once every 100 years. Flooding is fairly common over the Continue ReadingWhy do local officials permit building of HOA, condo communities on a flood plain?→

Connecting the dots: Storm water, flood control, HOAs, and affordable housing

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A trio of DESTRUCTIVE hurricanes have thrust the related issues of flood control and storm water management into the limelight   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Regular readers of IAC know I emphasize the fact that financial burdens of storm water management and flood control systems are heaped upon property owners and residents of association-governed and common interest communities. Admittedly, though I have written dozens of articles on the topic, they tend to Continue ReadingConnecting the dots: Storm water, flood control, HOAs, and affordable housing→

Hurricane Irma recovery: Counties, Cities to assist with debris removal

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Local governments acknowledge duty to taxpayers in private HOAs, even if FEMA denies reimbursement   By Deborah Goonan, Independent American Communities   Sometimes a crisis creates an unexpected but refreshing response from one’s neighbors. Several local governments in Florida have announced plans to assist homeowners in association-governed communities, as they struggle to remove tons of debris, including fallen trees and household furnishings and materials destroyed by Hurricane Irma’s winds and floods. Last week, the Orlando Continue ReadingHurricane Irma recovery: Counties, Cities to assist with debris removal→

Will FEMA help rebuild Florida’s waterfront condos?

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Hurricane Irma floods condo in Jacksonville, waves destroy foundation Readers have been contacting me, wondering if FEMA will help homeowners, condominium, or cooperative associations rebuild after two major hurricanes (Harvey and Irma) have devastated communities in Florida, Southeast Texas, and portions of Louisiana. For example, what will become of River Oak Condominium and The Villas Continental and Yacht Club, located on the St. Johns River intracoastal region of Florida near Jacksonville? According to a report Continue ReadingWill FEMA help rebuild Florida’s waterfront condos?→