Floodway, FEMA, and garage doors!!!

[GRANITE80]

Is anyone familiar with the use of automatically opening "flow-thru" garage doors in floodways and floodplains?

This has become a relatively common practice in our area. Yet recently, a higher-up at FEMA told my colleage that these are not acceptable, that any openings required for flood mitigation must be "permanent". This contradicts other information from FEMA. I cannot find any formal direction from FEMA on this issue (nor can I receive it from FEMA).

Any suggestion or opinions are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[RWF7437]

Does FEMA really allow garages in a "floodway" in your area ?!

As far as I know, FEMA would only allow "automatic" openings in a flood plain fringe area where automatic does not depend on human intervention, electrical power, or anything other than gravity.

Have you tried searching FEMA's website for an answer to your question ?

good luck

 

[RWF7437]

Try this link:

http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/job15.pdf#search="FEMA guidance for garages in a floodplain"

 

[GRANITE80]

Yes, structures are still allowed in the "floodway" in our area if the entire "buildable" lot is in the floodway (according to FEMA, "only if there are no other alternatives". I personally think owners should sign waivers for receiving goverment assistance in the event of a flood, but that is not my call.

I believe you are correct, that automatic openings are okay (e.g. float activated) but no, I cannot find any documentation. I'll keep looking ... thanks!

 

[env21tech]

A flexible rubber flap on the bottom 12" of the garage door would allow floodwater(but bnot critters)to enter the garage, thereby equalizing the water elevations with that outside the garage.
This would prevent the garage walls acting like a dam (until they finally buckle).