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Development Services

Reducing Flood Risks

Structural Elevation and/or Re-grading - Raising the existing lowest floor of the building and appliances above the (BFE) Base Flood Elevation plus 1ft of freeboard is the best way to prevent flooding. This can be done by elevating the entire house, including the floor, or by leaving the house in its existing position and constructing a new elevated floor within the home. The method used depends largely on construction type, foundation type, and flooding conditions. Obtain a Permit to re-grade your lot to drain runoff away from buildings.

Wet Flood Proofing - Modifying the uninhabited portions of the house (crawlspace or unfinished basement) so that floodwaters can enter but not cause significant damage to either the house or its contents. This allows interior and exterior hydrostatic pressures to equalize, reducing the likelihood of wall failures and structural damage. Raise electrical panels, AC units, water heaters, and appliances to areas and heights that are above BFE plus 1ft of freeboard.

Relocation - Moving your house to higher ground, outside the flood hazard area. When space permits, it may be possible to relocate the home to higher ground on the same piece of property. Once relocated, utility lines are connected.

Dry Flood Proofing - Sealing your house to prevent floodwaters from entering. Making the house watertight requires sealing the walls with waterproof coatings, impermeable membranes, or supplemental layers of masonry or concrete. Doors, windows, and other openings below flood levels are equipped with permanent or removable shields and backflow valves must be installed in sewer lines and drains.

Demolition - Tearing down a damaged or high-risk structure and either rebuilding properly somewhere on the same property or moving to a house onto other property outside the regulatory floodplain.

Acquisition of Flood-Prone Properties - Properties that meet FEMA's definition of repetitive flood losses may qualify for acquisition by federal, state, and local governmental agencies with the stipulation that the land is maintained as open space and not be redeveloped.

  • The City of Corpus Christi Housing & Community Development Department heads the Community Development Block Grant Program Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Voluntary Buyback program for efficiently removing repetitive loss, severe repetitive loss, and otherwise vulnerable housing from regulatory floodways while assisting homeowners with the process of purchasing safe replacement homes outside of the areas of hazard.
  • The NFIP maintains a listing of properties identified as either Repetitive loss (RLP) or Severe Repetitive Loss (SRLP). In 2020, there were a total of 205 RLP's and 25 SLP's identified within the City of Corpus Christi.
  • The Housing & Community Development & Floodplain Management Departments strive to work with property owners to undertake flood mitigation measures such as buyout, relocation, elevation, or otherwise improving structures. Hence, they are no longer subject to repetitive flood damage.

 

 

 

Additional Info

About Us

The Development Services Department is responsible for all planning, development and permitting activities in Corpus Christi. The department brings together building services, civil engineering, planning and zoning, permit applications, major projects and records in a way that customers can access information, start new projects, and get projects approved.

Contact Information

Address: 
2406 Leopard Street
Corpus Christi, TX  78408

Mailing Address: 
P.O. Box 9277
Corpus Christi, TX 78469


Phone: (361) 826-3240

Fax: (361) 826-3006