Engineering Housing Recovery After a Hurricane in Galveston

Why Choose JRH Engineering

Why Developers, Contractors & Property Owners Choose JRH

Most engineering firms talk about technical capability.

We focus on what actually matters to your project: speed, cost, communication, and results.

Faster Project Turnaround

Our streamlined processes and efficient team structure mean shorter design and permitting timelines — without sacrificing quality or accuracy.

Clear & Responsive Communication

You work directly with engineers who keep you informed. No long delays or unanswered emails — just straightforward updates and quick responses.

Proven Results Across Three States

We have successfully delivered civil, structural, and land development projects for developers, contractors, and owners throughout Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

Check out JRH’s case studies.

Licensed & Certified Professionals

Our work is sealed by licensed Professional Engineers.

JRH Engineering is also a certified Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB / WBE) and HUB eligible.

Rebuilding Takes More Than Construction

After a hurricane, communities need housing back quickly, but rebuilding well takes more than construction.

Drainage, flood elevations, wind design and infrastructure capacity all shape whether new housing will hold up to the next storm.

During a recent Bisnow panel discussion, Jennifer Henrichs, President of JRH Engineering, highlighted the firm’s work on The Oleander at Broadway, a residential development in Galveston, Texas.

The discussion focused on the role engineering plays in housing recovery, stronger communities and future development.

JRH Engineering is a Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer and Land Development firm serving Texas, North Carolina and Florida.

JRH guiding principles are: Engineering Excellence. Delivered on Time. Built on Value.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIjakZSGzOk&feature=youtu.be

Why Housing Recovery Needs Engineering

• Drainage: new housing should not add flooding to neighbors, and coastal sites may lack a storm sewer outfall

  
  

• Elevations: finished floors and fill set to flood zone requirements

  
  

• Wind: foundations, framing and connections designed for coastal wind loads

  
  

• Infrastructure: roads, water and sewer sized for the homes being added

  
  

• Funding: public funding can add compliance and documentation requirements

  
  

Planning for the Long Term

1. Review flood zone, drainage outfall and utility capacity during feasibility.

   
   

2. Design stormwater storage within the site where outfalls are limited.

   
   

3. Plan roads and utilities for future phases, not just the first buildings.

   
   

4. Coordinate civil and structural design so pads, elevations and foundations match.

   
   

Texas Coastal Rules to Know

• Windstorm: in TDI’s coastal catastrophe area, which includes Galveston County, the 2024 IRC and IBC took effect for windstorm certification on April 1, 2026

  
  

• Construction stormwater: sites disturbing 1 acre or more need TCEQ construction stormwater coverage

  
  

• WPI-8 support: JRH supports WPI-8 windstorm certification in Brazoria and Galveston counties

  
  

Surveys, geotechnical reports and environmental studies are by others.

Project: Oleander on Broadway, Galveston, TX

• 350 residential units with commercial space on 9.8 acres in Galveston

  
  

• Federal and private funding; $111,000,000 construction value

  
  

• Read the full Oleander on Broadway case study

  
  

Challenges

• No storm sewer outfall was available on the island site

  
  

• Federal funding added compliance requirements

  
  

Objectives

1. Manage stormwater within the site.

   
   

2. Deliver a complete civil package for a large mixed-use development.

   
   

Solutions JRH Engineering Provided

• Civil engineering building pads, grading, drainage and two public roads

  
  

• A bioswale detention pond system using the site’s sandy, permeable soil

  
  

Results:

• Remote outfall connection eliminated

  
  

• City of Galveston drainage requirements met within the site

  
  

Recovery Resources for Texas, North Carolina and Florida

Texas

• See TDI windstorm and TCEQ construction stormwater.

  
  

North Carolina

• See FEMA’s Hurricane Helene disaster declaration for North Carolina.

  
  

Florida

• See the Florida Building Code.

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does engineering matter in hurricane recovery?

Drainage, elevations and wind design decide how well new housing handles the next storm.

What if a coastal site has no storm sewer outfall?

Stormwater can be stored and managed within the site, as at Oleander on Broadway.

Which codes apply to windstorm certification in Galveston?

The 2024 IRC and IBC, effective April 1, 2026, in TDI’s catastrophe area.

Does JRH support WPI-8 certification?

Yes, in Brazoria and Galveston counties.

Does JRH perform surveys or geotechnical reports?

No, surveys and geotechnical reports are by others.

Does JRH Engineering obtain building permits?

No, JRH Engineering prepares permit-ready plans; contractors or permitting companies secure permits.

Want More Information on this Topic?

• Call JRH Engineering at (800) 227-9635

  
  

• Use the chatbot in the lower right-hand corner of this page

  
  

• Submit a request through JRH Engineering’s contact page

  
  

Find JRH Engineering on Google:

• Houston, TX | Manvel, TX (HQ)

  
  

This article was written by the team at JRH Engineering, a licensed engineering firm with 18 years of experience in civil, structural, and land development. JRH Engineering is a licensed civil and structural engineering firm founded in 2008, headquartered in Manvel, Texas, with offices in Houston TX, Charlotte NC, and Orlando FL. Certified WBE, WOSB, and HUB-eligible. Phone: (800) 227-9635 | sales@jrhengineering.net | jrhengineering.net. Texas PE license is F-10385. North Carolina PE license is P-3118. Florida license is 38516.