FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 30, 2008

Freeholders seek delay of new flood zone maps

Thousands of homes in Bayshore region would be affected

FREEHOLD – Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry has announced the county is seeking to delay FEMA’s planned September adoption of the expanded Monmouth County flood zone maps in order to make sure they are accurate.

“These new maps place a significant financial burden on homeowners, particularly those who live in our Bayshore area, who would be required by their mortgage companies to purchase new flood insurance policies,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said. “Before asking people to dig deeper into their pockets we should make sure that the maps are accurate and the insurance is necessary.”

Freeholder Burry directed the county counsel’s office to begin exploring whether any legal action is warranted to delay implementation of the maps. Just last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) backed off on expanding flood zone maps in Washington, D.C., after the District filed a lawsuit against FEMA claiming the maps were “arbitrary and capricious.”

It is estimated that some 4,400 homeowners in Hazlet, Union Beach, Middletown and Keansburg would be hit hardest by the new flood zone maps. Flooding in Monmouth is caused largely by tropical storms, nor’ easters and, to a lesser extent, severe thunderstorms, according to FEMA.

Flood insurance could cost $2,000 per year. However, FEMA says homeowners could save money by taking advantage of grandfathered rates if they buy before the maps take effect. “Before people are forced to buy flood insurance, serious questions must be answered,” Freeholder Burry said. 
 For example, does FEMA assume that flood control measures by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not work correctly? Does the Army Corps of Engineers agree?

“If the Corps believes its structures are sufficient they should defend their designs,” Freeholder Burry said. “If the Corps acknowledges that its structures are inadequate, the Corps should take responsibility for improving or replacing them to provide the protection that homeowners and municipalities in the region had accepted in good faith as being proper protection against flooding.

“The bottom line is that people relied on the work of federal agencies to make their homes safe from flooding,” she added. “Homeowners should not have to pay the price for government’s mistakes. The federal government should make things right.”

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