Overview & History
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Following flooding in 1977, Congress authorized the US Army Corps of Engineers (under Section 202 of Public Law 96-367) to provide flood protection to the hardest hit areas along the Levisa Fork and its tributaries in Pike County. Since this time, the Corps has conducted numerous studies in the area to identify potential measures that would minimize future flood losses, should a repeat of the April 1977 flood occur.

The Martin Voluntary Flood Protection Program will be implemented in Phase 4 of the Martin Redevelopment program. Outreach activities in Martin, held during the past few years, indicate a great deal of public interest in and acceptance of the voluntary flood proofing and acquisition program; participation is anticipated to be high. The program will offer nonstructural methods of protection, including (a) buy out; and (b) protection in place. Potential flood damage reduction measures are briefly described below.

Is My Home Or Business Eligible?

For a home or business to be considered for flood protection, specific criteria must be met:

Your first finished or "habitable" floor must have been, and/or would be damaged, by a reoccurrence of a flood equal to 1977.

Houses with basements that are damaged from a reoccurrence of the 1977 flood are not eligible for the program unless the first finished or “habitable” floor was also flooded.

Each house determined to be eligible for the flood-proofing program will be examined for the most cost effective method in providing flood protection.

How Will My Home Be Protected?

There are several methods of providing flood protection for eligible structures. Eligible structures will be protected using the least costly method available. Available methods include:

• Raise-in-place. Raise a house at its existing location on an elevated foundation or piers.
  
• Move on site. Move the house to a higher location on the property.
  
• Replacement. Removal of existing house and replacement with new house of comparable size at higher elevation.
  
• Veneer walls. Construction of a waterproof wall attached to the structure.
  
• Ringwall/Levee. Protecting the structure or small group of structures by small floodwalls or earthen berms.
  
• Owner Replacement. Replacement of existing house with new flood-protected house. Note: Special requirements apply to this option.
  
• Flood Plan Evacuation. Voluntary relocation of homeowner outside of floodplain.
  
• Flood Walls or Levees. A flood wall or levee may be constructed to protect a group of structures.