Avalon Draft Floodplain Management Plan Goes to Council

AVALON – In 2015, Avalon changed strategies in its efforts to maintain and improve on its Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) tier.
The borough’s current Tier 5 rating translates to a 25 percent discount in terms of federal flood insurance plan premiums for property owners.
In 2015, Avalon established a community-wide floodplain management committee in order to write its own Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) instead of continuing to participate in the plan developed by the county. 
The planning process looked at new initiatives, reconsidered existing practices and placed an emphasis on broad community involvement.
Recertification of that plan requires an annual evaluation process concerning the implementation of the 2015 FMP. On Nov. 20, borough council received a presentation from Borough Engineer Thomas Thornton on the draft 2018 evaluation report, a copy of which is posted on the borough website seeking public input.
Eight of 11 pages in the report deal with a list of action items from the 2015 plan, their priority, and their current status. Thornton highlighted areas of the action plan status.
The borough engaged with the Coastal Research Center at Stockton University to implement a flood sensor system, with flood depth sensors deployed to strategic locations to collect data on flooding. 
The data is already proving useful as the borough readies an extensive reworking of the flood water collection system in the frequently inundated north end of the island.
Council member John McCorristin asked Thornton to look into extending the data collection system to the business district where severe rain events have posed a problem that goes beyond the area’s normal tidal flooding.
The north-end drainage study completed this year and the resulting plan for drainage system improvements is a major action plan within the report.
In 2018, the borough authorized the development of a Watershed Management Plan which will meet a FEMA CRS requirement for any progression to a high CRS tier level.
Thornton also spoke of the borough’s Clean Water Initiative aimed at eliminating the use in the borough of single-use plastic bags and other products that pose a danger to the health of area waters.
According to Thornton, the borough is exploring ways to reduce the damage caused by wakes produced by moving vehicles on flooded streets.
Council President James Deever said that wave action from passing cars and trucks is a particular problem in the business district.
The Ocean Drive resurfacing project and the 2018 beach replenishment program are two other areas where the borough can point to recently completed efforts that further resiliency and aid in floodplain management.
The report highlights the new effort to repair the 8th Street jetty after it was damaged by Winter Storm Jonas is 2016. The project, scheduled for completion by 2020, will “improve the stability and integrity of the jetty.”
In 2018, the borough purchased and installed a state-of-the-art weather station, providing real-time weather information that can help the borough respond to hazardous weather events.
Responding to recommendations from the community, Thornton noted that the borough is considering the feasibility of elevating flood-prone streets to increase the ability of residents to evacuate those streets during severe flood emergencies.
The borough is also committed to enhancing its program for public information related to flood prevention and preparedness.
One concept Thornton presented was an effort to develop community-specific information that will help residents and property owners translate weather forecasts into information about actual local threats the forecasts pose.
Thornton used an example of a forecast concerning a specific level of tidal surge which could then be framed in terms of local topography to present levels of threat to areas of the borough.
Beyond the highlights, the report lists 79 action items under topics of preventative measures, property protection, natural resources protection, structural projects, emergency services and public information. It represents a handy guide to the efforts in the borough to confront the increasing threats of flooding from storms, tidal surges, and serious rain events.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.