shorefront property endangered by recurring hurricane floods. Sub- 

 sequently, the program was modified to stress beach erosion control 

 rather than shore development. A number of cononunities have applied 

 for state aid under this program. 



c« Local protection. Four general classes of local works 

 have been considered. 



(1) Individual meastires. Since Hurricane Carol, a number 

 of the larger Industries and business establishments in the flood 

 area have Installed permanent or semi-permanent measures to protect 

 their physical plants agsonst hurricane flooding. These measures 

 Include: 



(a) Construction of flood-proof structures* 



(b) Construction of flood vails around individual 

 properties. 



(c) Permanent closure of wlndous emd other 

 openings eiqposed to flood waters. 



(d) Installation of valves or gates to prevent 

 backxq^ In pipe lines. 



(e) Installation of pumps to control seepage 

 and Interior drainage. 



(f ) Changes in the utilization of space subject 

 to flooding. 



Most of these protective measures constructed by private interests 

 are as yet untested and of uncertain effectiveness. They are also 

 costly,, not only In materials and labor, but also by reducing 

 productivity. It is inconceivable hov such measures can be generally 

 adopted over the bay area without proving vastly uneconomical as com- 

 pared to alternative flood protection methods. 



(2) Protection against flooding by local barriers, dikes 

 and walls. To be effective against hurricane tidal flooding, such 

 structures would require heights of approximately 20 feet or more 

 above mean sea level to protect against wave attack and wave over- 

 topping. At many locations high walls or dikes would block access 

 to the shorefront and would be objectionable to property owners. 

 Losses at only a few locations, such as Providence, along the 250 

 miles of shoreline of the bay vould warrant the high costs of such 

 works, which are likely to cost in excess of $500 per linear foot, 

 exclusive of punplng stations, provision for storm water drainage 

 and gated openings for highways and railroads. At Providence, the 

 high valuation of the area, the long history of disastrous flooding 

 and the relatively narrow width of the Providence River Indicate 

 construction of a barrier across the river as a local protection 

 measure. A barrier at Fox Pointy Providence, is described in para- 

 graph 57. 



3U 



