Obtaining accurate first-floor elevation (FFE) data within Galveston historic districts is limited or nonexistent and is often a function of securing elevation certificates (ECs). FFEs are critical in assessing flood damage and risk for structures and individuals concerning base flood elevations (BFEs). ECs are primarily written for flood insurance and are challenging to obtain through local municipalities and private insurance companies. The lack of easily accessible and accurate FFE data is a common standard across the US. This study used a drone-based approach coupled with photogrammetry to accurately derive elevation measures of structures within historic districts (Diaz et al. Citation2022) to address this problem. Specifically, we address the following research question: What is the flood vulnerability of historic districts in Galveston, Texas, and how can digital technology be leveraged to inform historic resource and broader built environment risk frameworks?
