Author Archives: Samara Ebinger

Hudson County Public Open House Scheduled for December 3rd

FEMA and its partners will present the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and data for Hudson County, show the differences between the new and the effective FIRM, and provide an overview of the appeals and map adoption processes at a public open house on December 3rd from 4 to 8 pm. Attendees will also be able to locate their properties on the preliminary  FIRMs and learn about their flood risk, get answers to questions from county and FEMA representatives, and learn about flood insurance options from insurance specialists. The open house will be held at Franklin L. Williams School (MS 7), 222 Laidlaw Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

Cape May County Public Open House Scheduled for December 12th

FEMA and its partners will present the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and data for Cape May County, show the differences between the new and the effective FIRM, and provide an overview of the appeals and map adoption processes at a public open house on December 12th from 4 to 8 pm. Attendees will also be able to locate their properties on the preliminary  FIRMs and learn about their flood risk, get answers to questions from county and FEMA representatives, and learn about flood insurance options from insurance specialists. The open house will be held at the Cape May Convention Center, 714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204.

Flood Forecast and Warning Tools Focus Group in Monmouth & Ocean Counties

Monmouth and Ocean County Residents: 
Have you experienced coastal flooding? Do you rely on flood warnings and alerts to know when to prepare? Do you wish you had more information about your flood risk?

Nurture Nature Center, a non-profit organization focusing on flood education, is recruiting participants for two focus groups scheduled for Monday, November 3rd at the Brick Township Library, as part of a research project with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, about the use of National Weather Service flood forecast and warning tools.

Participants should live in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and be at least 18 years of age. Participants will be asked to answer questions and provide input about various flood warning tools and products issued by the National Weather Service. Each participant will receive $30 for their time. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Register online at socialscience.focusonfloods.org or call 610-253-4432.

Please indicate which session you would like to attend when you register:

Session #1: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Session #2: 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm




Now Available: Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Camden and Gloucester Counties

Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Camden and Gloucester Counties, NJ are now available.  You can look up the flood zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) from the maps for a specific property using the What is My BFE? address lookup tool.

This information is also available through FEMA’s Map Service Center, the official source for preliminary and effective regulatory FIRMs. Online tutorials are available from FEMA which provide assistance in using both the FIRM and FIS Report.   Additional information is also available through the Preliminary FIRM FAQ.

Beach Nourishment and Dune Construction Fact Sheet Available from FEMA

For purposes of flood hazard mapping, FEMA considers the effects of nourished beaches and constructed dunes only when certain criteria are met. FEMA's fact sheet about beach nourishment and dune construction  provides important information about how these activities affect coastal flood hazards and FEMA's coastal flood studies and how FEMA evaluates these projects during a study. 

Now Available: Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Bergen County

Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Bergen County, NJ are now available.  You can look up the flood zone and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) from the maps for a specific property using the What is My BFE? address lookup tool.
This information is also available through FEMA’s Map Service Center, the official source for preliminary and effective regulatory FIRMs. Online tutorials are available from FEMA which provide assistance in using both the FIRM and FIS Report.   Additional information is also available through the Preliminary FIRM FAQ.

Now Available: Preliminary Work Maps for Westchester County

Preliminary work maps showing coastal flood hazards for Westchester County, New York are now available.  You can look up the flood zone and Base Flood Elevation from the maps for a specific property using the What is My BFE? address lookup tool.

The preliminary work maps are an interim product created in the process of developing preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and replace the Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) information released in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy as the most recent coastal flood hazard information available from FEMA in this county.  Learn more about preliminary work maps through the Preliminary Work Map FAQ and other resources on the Using FEMA Flood Hazard Data page.

Video: Sea Isle City Succeeds in the Community Rating System

In a new FEMA video, Sea Isle City public officials discuss their community's Community Rating System (CRS) program success story. CRS gives participating communities flood insurance incentives in return for the implementation of floodplain management standards that exceed minimum National Flood Insurance Program requirements and reduce future flood risk in the community.