Crowds Flood Convention Hall For Glimpse of New FEMA Maps

CAPE MAY – The City of Cape May hosted an event at Convention Hall to help property owners from throughout the county better understand the new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps.
The maps currently in place date to 1979. Many who did not have to deal with the implications of flood zones and insurance under those earlier maps are finding that the new ones have pulled them into the process. A new sense of urgency and numerous questions propelled many to take advantage of the city event.
The event brought together FEMA and state officials prepared to help homeowners understand the new maps and grapple with their implications. Interest in the information was evident as lines formed well in advance of the announced start time of 4 p.m., at 3:30 doors opened early.
The set-up allowed individuals to first visit with staff at computer workstations. They could pinpoint individual addresses on the new maps and what the zones mean.
Armed with better information on where they specifically stood, property owners could next move to an area staffed by individuals able to discuss the flood insurance program.
Tables throughout the room were available for additional consultation with representatives from the county’s various municipalities. There was even an area for looking at commercially-available products that might mitigate risks and lower premiums. Every opportunity was taken to ensure that property owners had ways to get their questions answered.
For many, the new flood maps have included their properties in flood zones for the first time. The earlier advisory maps had greatly increased the anxiety level of many residents.
These maps, called a “knee-jerk reaction to Sandy” by Cape May Mayor Edward Mahaney, contained much larger A and Z zone areas as well as higher elevation levels. Newer preliminary maps have improved the situation for many, but have still substantially increased the number of individuals that must confront the realities of flood insurance.
Mahaney explained that the preliminary maps are “90 percent accurate” and that there was still an appeals process available to property owners. That process will begin April 1 and runs through June 30.
The expectation is that county, state and FEMA personnel would review appeals and respond by the end of 2015. Towns can also challenge the maps by demonstrating flood control actions, which FEMA may not have considered.
Any changes to the preliminary maps based on the appeals or challenges would be made at that time and that maps would then begin the process of obtaining final approval. Mahaney predicted that the final maps would be approved later in 2016, at which time they would formally replace the 1979 maps.
The Convention Hall event gave residents information on where they stood with respect to the new maps, a chance to ask questions and to understand the appeals process, an opportunity to learn about possible mitigation measures that could impact insurance rates, and a way to get informed about community discounts that might be available in their municipalities.
Crystal Tramunti, a FEMA official, praised the city’s role in organizing and hosting the event. “This is the best open house I’ve seen in eight years,” she said.
The opportunity for one-on-one sessions with informed experts was an obvious hit and “attendance is fantastic,” Tramunti said. People still have about two years to prepare.
The city took its responsibilities as host very seriously. Council member Terri Swain spent hours greeting people as they signed in, explaining the layout and directing people to the first set of workstations.
Jerry Inderwies, who will take a council seat in January, was at the city information table.
City Manager Bruce MacLeod and Solicitor Anthony Monzo were both available to talk with residents. Mahaney was everywhere, making sure lines moved efficiently and that individuals were getting help they needed.
“It is good to see advanced planning,” said Tramunti.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.