Hurricane Sandy

Stop FEMA Now's Growing Influence

The grassroots organization has its sites set on national attention.

From its humble beginnings - a few concerned residents sitting around a table in a small sub shop in Toms River - Stop FEMA Now, the grassroots organization opposed to the federal agency’s flood maps, has grown and continues to attract crowds at meetings throughout the state. Now it’s time for the second phase. Prior to a meeting in Atlantic City to discuss flood maps with residents of yet another county, Stop FEMA Now founder George Kasimos said the causes continues to grow. More and more residents continue to discover that their homes are now listed in FEMA’s flood zones, he said, and now they’re looking for answers. And ultimately, they’re looking for a way to fight back. The group’s Facebook page has grown from just a few hundred likes…

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Committee to Adopt FEMA Flood Maps

Return to Lacey Patch at 7 p.m. for live coverage of the Committee meeting

The Lacey Township Committee will be doing a second reading of an ordinance that will adopt the FEMA elevation maps. Though Lacey Township Committee members said they don't agree with the interim FEMA flood elevation maps, in March they approved the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the guidelines as not to jeopardize federal and other funding. “There are a lot of people, including ourselves, that are questioning the elevations. Maybe they’re a little high,” Mayor David Most previously said. “You have to understand, if we don’t adopt this ordinance then these people won’t get the funding for the ICC (Increased Cost of Compliance).” The known flood risk has changed since the last effective community Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for …

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FEMA Flood Maps Introduced Despite Township's Wariness

Amended ordinance calls FEMA advisory maps 'unreasonably burdensome'

Though Lacey Township Committee members said they don't agree with the interim FEMA flood elevation maps, they approved the first reading of an ordinance to adopt the guidelines as not to jeopardize federal and other funding. “There are a lot of people, including ourselves, that are questioning the elevations. Maybe they’re a little high,” Mayor David Most said during the governing body’s regular meeting Thursday evening. “You have to understand, if we don’t adopt this ordinance then these people won’t get the funding for the ICC (Increased Cost of Compliance).” The known flood risk has changed since the last effective community Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for communities in New Jersey. FEMA has created Advisory Base Flood Elevations (…

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Tom W

10:20 am on Saturday, March 30, 2013

Unfortunately those people will be sacrificed for others since they are not a photo-op. We have pulled together during and after Sandy in support of those directly affected but it seems that ship has sailed. Those who will suffer later will not have the politicians hugging them, there will be no outpouring from the public, Bruce will not hold a concert for you. We are so frightened that we accept…   more ›

Hurricane Sandy

UPDATE: Christie Predicts FEMA Will Scale Back Flood Maps

Governor provides update on rebuilding, with focus on flood maps and Blue Acres buyout, and plenty of anecdotes

Gov. Chris Christie predicted the Federal Emergency Management Agency will scale back tough new flood maps it issued last December, according to news reports. Those maps place many more properties in flood zones, requiring many of them to be elevated if their owners don't want to see flood insurance rates soar, according to reports. The initial FEMA flood maps, which could create thousands more in insurance premiums and have residents raising their houses feet off the ground, are "too aggressive," said Gov. Christie at Thursday's town hall meeting. He was addressing a packed crowd of officials and residents in the Hurricane Sandy damaged town of Manasquan, and Christie returned to the complicated and controversial topic of what would …

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proud

12:16 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013

@ clamdigger, prior to the release of the preliminary maps expected in August, municipalities that are NFIP participants will be provided with a work map to identify "obstructions" to wave activity within their boundaries. It is to the benefit of the municipalities and their residents to provide FEMA with "solid" information that can be included in the overland wave propagation component of the …   more ›

Elevating Homes After Sandy: 'Wait-and-See Approach Is Prudent'

For owners of homes not substantially damaged by the storm, waiting for final flood maps and flood insurance rates could help in making decision

With a flood map still in flux and flood insurance premium increases still not set, property owners may have too little information to make an informed decision on whether to rebuild their homes at a higher elevation, according to state officials and local insurance agents. Record flooding from Superstorm Sandy on Oct. 29 caused billions of dollars worth of damage to the coastlines of New Jersey and New York, and in the aftermath of the storm, many owners are wondering if they will be required to elevate their homes. This much is known: Emergency rules adopted by New Jersey on Jan. 24 require new and substantially reconstructed (where the cost of restoration equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the …

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Hurricane Sandy

Christie Stands Firm on FEMA Flood Maps

Christie decision to adopt FEMA's advisory flood maps will have a dramatic impact on coastal towns, but he's not backing down.

Gov. Chris Christie is adamant about his decision to adopt the Federal Emergency Management’s (FEMA) advisory flood maps. And while that decision will have a significant, and costly, impact on many of New Jersey’s shore towns, it’s a necessary step to ensure their survival, he said. Speaking at a mobile cabinet meeting in Union Beach nearly two weeks after announcing his decision to rebuild using the advisory flood maps as a guide, Christie said it was a difficult choice, but one he had to make. Even amidst opposition as shore towns and residents voice their objections to the maps and their expanded flood-prone A and V Zones, Christie’s not backing down. Whether towns and residents rebuild smarter and higher, or face the risk and high cost…

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Christie on Delays in Sandy Aid: 'Please Be Patient'

Plans are being formulated at the state level for how to spend Hurricane Sandy relief aid, but the money hasn't come in yet.

The state is developing plans for how and where to best allocate Hurricane Sandy relief aid, writing proposals for putting together lists for its various relevant agencies, from Housing and Urban Development to the Department of Transportation. The money will come, Gov. Chris Christie told a crowd in Union Beach Tuesday, and it will be used to rebuild New Jersey and get residents back into their hurricane-ravaged homes. Be patient, he said. The check hasn't been written yet. Christie joined other local legislators in celebration after a $50.7 billion hurricane relief bill passed in a contentious U.S. House of Representatives in January before heading off to the U.S. Senate for approval and finally to President Barack Obama’s desk for a …

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Hurricane Sandy

FEMA Reps Answering Questions at Toms River Lowe's This Week

Representatives will be on-hand through this Saturday to answer questions

Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are trying to guide locals through the Sandy rebuilding process this week at the Toms River Lowe's.  "It's slow, but there is progress being made," said David Weiglain, a hazard mitigation outreach specialist for the federal agency stationed at the home improvement store. Many who have stopped by the table set up by FEMA table, which will be staffed through Saturday, have been asking about elevation maps.  "That's been the primary question," Weiglain said. Others are asking what they need to do next to rebuild.  "We're just trying to give them some guidance," Weiglain said. Bayville resident Chris Marotto stopped by the FEMA table and chatted with Weiglain about elevations, but …

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