Hurricane Idalia Substantial Damage Public Notice
Our community had significant damage from Hurricane Idalia. If your property structure(s) was (were) damaged, you may be required to bring the structure(s) into full compliance with Valdosta’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance depending upon the extent of the repairs if that property is within the Special Flood Hazard Area.
If the City determines that repairs needed on your property qualify as Substantial Improvement, you will receive another letter – a Substantial Damage Determination Letter. Additional information will be provided in those letters. No immediate action is required in response to this NOTICE.
The term Substantial improvement (SI) means any reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure prior to the improvement. This term includes structures that have incurred “substantial damage,” regardless of the actual repair work performed. The term Substantial damage (SD) means damage of any origin sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Work on structures that are determined to be substantially damaged is considered to be substantial improvement, regardless of the actual repair work performed.
We realize that citizens will have questions about recovery and the process of obtaining inspections and permits. Please note the following:
- It is important to have damaged structures inspected before repair work is started.
- For activities that require a building permit, please check with our City Inspections Department at https://www.valdostacity.com/inspections/permitting , 229-259-3506 .
- Floodplain management requirements which have major cost impacts include raising the finished floor elevation to 2’ above the flood elevation, and raising building mechanical systems (air conditions, heating, heat pumps, etc.) to 1’ above the flood elevation.
- Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage is part of NFIP standard flood insurance policies. Processing ICC claims, which involves insurance adjusters, property owners, and local officials, must be accomplished within specific timeframes. As of 2018, the ICC coverage provides up to $30,000 toward the cost of bringing insured structures into compliance. Additional guidance, brochures, frequently asked questions, and a policyholder processing checklist are available online at https://www.fema.gov/increased-cost-compliance-coverage .
- It is important to hire licensed contractors. Avoid fraudulent and unlicensed entities that may take advantage of victims in areas affected by significant events.