Recovery Toolkit for Community Officials

Your Source for Recovery Resources

Effective floodplain management depends on having accurate information about flood hazards before development occurs and integrating that information into regional and land use planning processes. This is especially important in the aftermath of a devastating storm such as Hurricane Sandy. The resources available below can assist New Jersey and New York’s community officials in building their communities back stronger and more resilient.

For additional assistance, please call 1-800-427-4661 or visit our Contacts page to find the right subject matter expert.

FEMA Flood Hazard Data

Find Preliminary FIRM Information
Provides access to preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information through online maps, the ‘What is My BFE?’ address lookup tool, GIS data, and supporting technical data and reports. For communities where preliminary FIRMs have not been released, the most recent FEMA flood hazard data available is provided.

Using FEMA Flood Hazard Data
Provides additional information for communities about how to use the preliminary FIRM data and other draft FEMA flood hazard information.

Historical FEMA Data Releases
This webpage provides information about the Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps and preliminary work maps which have been replaced by preliminary FIRMs in most areas as the most recent FEMA flood hazard data available.

Understanding Vertical Datums
This FAQ provides answers to common questions about vertical datums and datum conversion tables for locations in New York and New Jersey.

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National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

FEMA Flood Insurance Reform Homepage
This page is FEMA’s comprehensive source of information about recent flood insurance reform and changes underway to the NFIP due to this legislation. Numerous fact sheets and publications are included on this page.

FloodSmart.gov
The official website of the NFIP contains a wealth of helpful information for residents, in addition to many outreach document templates for use by communities.

Become CRS “Ready”
The NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) rewards communities who implement floodplain management standards that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. If your community is interested in joining CRS, read this fact sheet developed by FEMA Region II to see how to get started.

FEMA’s Homeowner’s Guide to Elevation Certificates fact sheet and Elevation Certificate webpage provide information about what elevation certificates are (forms that document a building’s elevation) and how they are used in relation to flood insurance and building requirements.

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Mitigation

Resources for Building Resilient Coastal Communities
This page provides resources available from FEMA, States or other organizations that communities can use to plan for a more flood-resilient future.

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk from Natural Hazards
This FEMA publication is intended to assist communities in identifying and evaluating a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk from floods and disasters.

Hurricane Sandy Recovery Advisories
Recovery advisory bulletins have been developed by FEMA’s Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) studying the damages from Hurricane Sandy. They offer mitigation measures that could be taken to minimize damage to buildings.

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Rebuilding

Recovery Toolkit for Property Owners
Provides resources for property owners about recovery and rebuilding.

FEMA’s Hurricane Sandy Building Science Activities and Resources Webpage
FEMA’s webpage devoted to resources for rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

FEMA Building Science Resources to Assist with Reconstruction after Hurricane Sandy
Factsheet provides a number of resources for property owners to access regarding rebuilding.

Hurricane Sandy Road to Recovery: A New York Homeowner’s Guide is a FEMA publication available to inform homeowners affected by Sandy of different options and resources available for recovery.

FEMA’s Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) Software
Developed to assist State and local officials in estimating building value and costs to repair residential and non-residential buildings, this software is available for download at no cost. The reference document Substantial Damage Estimator Best Practices is also available online.

FEMA Building Codes Toolkit
This toolkit explains building codes, their value to occupant safety and community resilience, as well as tools and resources for a variety of audiences, including property owners and the general public.

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Recovery/Mitigation Funding Sources

Increased Cost of Compliance: How You Can Benefit
Tri-fold brochure provides information about coverage availability and how to file an ICC claim.

Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs
Webpage provides information on the different grant programs, eligibility, costs, and process for applications.

ReNEW Jersey Stronger
Funding options for New Jersey homeowners are provided through the reNEW Jersey Stronger website. Options include the New Jersey Home Elevation Program funded by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program which provides reimbursement of up to $30,000 for elevations of existing single family homes in certain counties severely affected by Sandy.

Blue Acres Floodplain Acquisition Program
Eligible homeowners who wish to sell their properties damaged by Sandy in tidal areas of New Jersey may take advantage of the Blue Acres Floodplain Acquisition Program, a joint effort of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the State Office of Emergency Management and FEMA.

Small Business Administration
Information is available to aid small businesses in recovery from the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

DisasterAssistance.gov
The Federal government’s clearinghouse for disaster assistance information for individuals.

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