Staten Island reads the tea leaves as FEMA redraws Jersey flood maps

By Tom Wrobleski/Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance
on December 26, 2012 at 6:00 AM, updated December 26, 2012 at 6:32 AM


Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc in Huguenot, as evident in aerial view. Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released new flood maps for 10 coastal communities in New Jersey, but maps for New York City are not expected to be released until early in the new year.

The new city maps are expected to place more neighborhoods in the five boroughs, including Staten Island, into flood zones.

City Hall is expected to push for new zoning and building regulations in the flood zones based on the maps, meaning that homeowners may need to elevate or otherwise retrofit their homes.

It's an issue that the mayor's Island-centric, post-Sandy reconstruction task force will address here.

"It will mandate that any new development would have to comply to the regulations of the new zone," said City Councilman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore). "If that means 'X' amount of feet above base elevation, people will have to build to that level."

He also said more homeowners will likely be required to buy flood insurance.

"They've never had to do that before," said Ignizio. "That's an economic impact on people. It's an added bill."

FEMA this week released Advisory Base Flood Elevations for the following New Jersey counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Union.

FEMA said that the known flood risk has changed for many communities in New Jersey and New York since Hurricane Sandy, and since the maps were last updated.

FEMA issued the new maps in order to show a more current picture of flood risk for certain communities affected by Sandy.

The agency said that maps can help communities better understand current flood risks and ensure structures are rebuilt stronger and safer to reduce the impact of storms in the future.

The maps can also help private homeowners better understand where flood risk exists and decide whether to build to higher standards.

State and local governments can use the maps to site and elevate critical facilities and other public works projects, to plan and evaluate mitigation grant projects, and to guide construction.

For architects and builders, the new maps can help them offer responsible rebuilding and rehabilitation solutions to property owners.

The New Jersey maps can be found at Hurricane Sandy Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) - FEMA Region II Coastal Analysis and Mapping.

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/12/post_405.html