Riverwatch 2011: How a Local Environmental Public Health Agency Implemented Health Codes to Condemn Private Residences

In April 2011, Shelby County, TN and the City of Memphis were faced with potential for Mississippi River flooding due to increased seasonal rains combined with an elevated spring snow melt.  It was anticipated the River would crest at levels not seen in over 70 years.  On May 12, 2011, the river crested at 48 feet; effectively flooding 3 mobile home “parks” in the County.  Approximately 346 mobile units were completely flooded and were unsuitable for re-habitation.  Because these three mobile home communities are proximal to flood zones, it became evident during the emergency response recovery period a permanent solution was needed to prevent future flooding incidents.  This presentation will highlight the flood and briefly discuss the environmental response to the flood.  This introduction will assist in developing the thought process and work behind using local and state health codes to declare the properties hazardous and unfit for re-habitation.  This declaration prefaced County Code Enforcement to declare the 3 communities to be demolished.  This presentation hopes to elaborate on the processes necessary to condemn a flooded private residence while integrating the importance of inter-agency collaboration, all during an emergency response event.