The Flood-Resistant Elevated Home

Coastal and low-lying Florida communities already build on piers to meet FEMA base flood elevations. As projections for storm surge and rainfall intensity increase, elevation minimums are only likely to grow — and the ground level of a home can be designed as a breakaway, floodable space rather than a total loss.

• Living space elevated well above current base flood elevation requirements
• A breakaway ground floor built to release under wave load without harming the structure above
• Flood-rated utilities and wiring housed above the projected surge line
• Permeable, native landscaping that slows runoff instead of channeling it