Boston offers free flood inspections for homeowners as even an inch of water can cause major losses

During one inspection at a Dorchester condo, the team discovered a large crack.

Even an inch of floodwater in an average home can lead to an estimated $25,000 in damage. To help residents identify problems before a flood hits, Boston is testing free home flood assessments in neighborhoods such as Port Norfolk in Dorchester, Massachusetts, according to Boston 25 News.

What to know

Homeowners in selected areas, including Port Norfolk, can receive a no-cost flood assessment through the city’s pilot program. During the visits, engineers examine possible entry points for water and other hazards that flooding could create.

At one Dorchester condo, the team found a significant crack in a relatively new concrete floor. Engineers also checked the home inside and outside, including utility connections, walls, floors, and other areas that could be vulnerable to water.

Scott Tezak, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Tidal Basin, said the inspections are designed to identify those weak points early.

“We’re trying to look at the things that make the house vulnerable to flooding,” Tezak said.

More than 20,000 properties in Boston face substantial flood risk over the next 30 years, which is more than 20% of all properties in the city.

More background

While much of Boston’s climate planning has focused on major infrastructure projects, Delaney Morris-Landry of the city’s Planning Department said these assessments give homeowners a more immediate role in preparing for stronger storms and sea level rise.

She said the effort also reflects the city’s experience with damaging weather in 2018.

“This is a proactive step for our community to make sure that we are prepared for the future — the future of sea level rise, the future of storms,” Morris-Landry said.

At the edge of the Neponset River where it meets the Atlantic sits Port Norfolk. Ken Cooper, a Port Norfolk resident of 25 years, said neighbors often talk about climate change and the extreme weather it can bring, including flooding.

Because floodwater can reach basement utilities and other essential equipment first, a free inspection could help homeowners avoid major repair bills.

What’s being done?

The city’s pilot program gives homeowners a more customized look at flood risk instead of a broad warning.

Tezak said basements are a major focus because they often contain critical equipment.

“That’s something we want to help them identify, make them aware of their risk, and help them mitigate it,” he said to Boston 25 News.

Cooper signed up to see whether affordable steps could reduce the risk at his home.

“I just wanted to know if there was anything that I should be doing that wouldn’t dig too deep in my pocket to mitigate my risk here,” Cooper said.

Morris-Landry said residents want practical steps they can take even as larger public works projects continue to take time and money.

“A lot of people are really interested in being empowered with action because they know some of these larger-scale projects are going to take a lot of time and money,” she said to Boston 25 News.

Where can I learn more?

Homeowners and communities are preparing for flooding through practical fixes and calls for stronger policies.

• Homeowners can use garden plants to slow runoff and reduce backyard flooding.

• In western North Carolina, families learned standard policies often exclude floods after hurricanes hit.

• In Louisiana, a new law could push insurers out of flood markets over the long term.

• North Carolina communities are confronting homes built in flood-prone areas as waters spread.