Tides are rising. Storms are more frequent and more violent. Here's something people are doing along the Carolina coast to prepare for the next hurricane and storm surge.
New Bern, North Carolina's first capital city, is built on very low-lying land at the confluence of two rivers, the Neuse (pronounced [noose]) and the Trent. The Neuse is tidal at New Bern.
This is meant to be a very uplifting post. Even huge houses like this one are being jacked up so that pilings or new, higher foundations can be fitted under them. The people living them will be safer when the river water comes flowing into their neighborhoods.
With climate change, there might be permanent flooding in low lying areas in New Bern. So these people or the next dwellers will have their feet dry.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how much is the cost of lifting vs that of building a new house on elevated ground or stilts.
I can't imagine how much that must cost.
ReplyDeleteWhat is see is $$$$$. This won't help the average joe.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's a big, big deal to do!
ReplyDeleteA lot of new houses along the Gulf coast of North Florida have been built on "stilts," stacked concrete blocks. They may keep the floors dry, but they're awfully ugly.
ReplyDeleteRe the discussion of fishing piers a few days ago (missed all that, while traveling), and chm's comment that he hadn't seen similar in France. I *think* I've seen pictures of something like those along the French Atlantic coast, perhaps near Ile de Re. Can't swear to it, however. Will look for them, but perhaps someone has a better memory.
That's an attractive house. I would guess that raising the house might lower their insurance rates? Definitely reduce the hassle of repeat flooding.
ReplyDeleteThe alternative is to build in some sort of capacity to float, though whether that could be retrofitted to an existing house is quite another matter.
ReplyDeletehouses on the north shore of lake pontchartrain across from New Orleans have done the same and they look so huge from street level! it's a shock when you come across one but there are whole blocks of these...surprising
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