FEMA Approves Bigger Culverts For Future Floods

(Host) Federal officials say they'll help put in culverts larger than the pipes that were washed out during the floods of Tropical Storm Irene.

Some towns have suggested that Federal Emergency Management Agency regulations forced them to put in culverts of the same size that were destroyed.

But FEMA's Ken Pinkham says a special mitigation program will help put in facilities that might hold up better in a future flood.

(Pinkham) "It must be damaged beyond repair. And so if the culvert is damaged beyond repair, then as part of this ... public assistance program ... the culvert could be up-sized. One size typically is the way the program works."

(Host) Pinkham says FEMA's goal is that towns adopt standards in advance of a catastrophe.

He says that also helps to determine when the federal government is willing to make improvements when it's repairing flood damage.

(Pinkham) "If the existing culvert crossing such-and-such a town road is a 12-inch culvert, well FEMA would pay to replace the 12-inch culvert. However, if the town has adopted codes and standards and the codes and standards say the minimum culvert shall be 18-inch in that particular situation, wll then FEMA would pay to replace the 18-inch."

(Host) The program for towns roads and culverts is similar to another one for private property.

The version for private property pays to elevate a building if necessary or to buy the property and remove it from a flood-prone area.