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Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Paulsboro on March 26, 2015

EATONTOWN, N.J. – Gloucester County residents and property owners will be able ask questions and obtain information on their property’s flood hazard risk at an Open House scheduled to take place in Paulsboro on Thursday, March 26 at the Paulsboro Fire House, 1502 Swedesboro Ave. from 4 to 8 p.m.

During the past year and a half, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region II office has released updates to the flood hazard maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), for New Jersey’s coastal communities. The FIRMs identify areas of flood risk in these coastal communities.

Community and county officials in Gloucester County have arranged for the Flood Risk Open House to assist residents and property owners with questions and concerns regarding flood hazards and flood insurance rate maps.

If you think you may be in a flood zone, or already know you are, feel free to attend the open house between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. No formal presentation will be made and no appointment is necessary.

The preliminary flood hazard maps that will be shared at the Open House are an update of the existing FIRMs. These preliminary FIRMs and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) provide the basis for flood risk education and floodplain management measures. Each community is required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes flood insurance available to the community.

Insurance companies use FIRMs to determine flood insurance rates for buildings, and lenders utilize this information to determine flood insurance requirements. Residents and property owners in these areas are encouraged to learn more about their flood risk and the updates shown on the preliminary flood hazard maps by entering their property’s address in the “What’s my BFE?” tool at www.region2coastal.com.

Using interactive flood hazard maps at this Open House, representatives from the State, County, FEMA and their mapping partners will be available to answer flood risk and insurance questions and explain the preliminary flood hazard maps. Residents are encouraged to bring their elevation certificates and/or flood insurance policies to the event in order to get the best information about how their flood insurance rates may change as a result of the new preliminary flood maps and legislative reforms.

The Open Houses will cover flood hazard and FIRM map information only. No information will be available concerning outstanding insurance claims or disaster-related recovery efforts.

Please plan to attend this event if your property is currently mapped within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), newly mapped into an SFHA, or if you are unsure of your flood risk and/or you have any questions on flood insurance. If you cannot attend or want to learn more about your flood risk, please refer to the Preliminary FIRMs which are available on the FEMA Map Service Center website, https://msc.fema.gov/portal, call the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or call your local flood plain administrator or building official.

If you are in a high-risk flood zone, known as the SFHA, you may be required by your lender to carry flood insurance. FEMA staff will be available at the Open House to talk about these changes.

Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. It is vital for property owners to understand their risk and taking advantage of tools and programs available to them. Property owners can take action by purchasing flood insurance and implementing mitigation actions to help reduce future flooding impacts.

For additional information on flood hazard risk and the mapping process, please visit www.region2coastal.com

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/FEMASandy,www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/fema, www.fema.gov/blog, and www.youtube.com/fema.Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Paulsboro on March 26, 2015

Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Pennsauken Township on March 25, 2015

EATONTOWN, NJ – Camden County residents and property owners will be able ask questions and obtain information on their property’s flood hazard risk at an Open House scheduled to take place in Pennsauken Township on Wednesday, March 25 at the Camden County Boathouse , 7050 North Park Drive from 4 to 8 p.m.

Community and county officials in Camden County have arranged for the Flood Risk Open House to assist residents and property owners with questions and concerns regarding flood hazards and flood insurance rate maps.

If you think you may be in a flood zone, or already know you are, feel free to attend the open house that is most convenient for you at any time between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. No formal presentation will be made and no appointment is necessary.

Using interactive flood hazard maps at this Open House, representatives from the State, County, FEMA and their mapping partners, will be available to answer flood risk and insurance questions, and explain the preliminary flood hazard maps. Residents are encouraged to bring their elevation certificates and/or flood insurance policies to the event in order to get the best information about how their flood insurance rates may change as a result of the new preliminary flood maps and legislative reforms.

The Open Houses will cover flood hazard and FIRM map information only. No information will be available concerning outstanding insurance claims or disaster-related recovery efforts.

If you are in a high-risk flood zone, known as the SFHA, you may be required by your lender to carry flood insurance. FEMA staff will be available at the Open House to talk about these changes.

For additional information on flood hazard risk and the mapping process, please visit www.region2coastal.com

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Pennsauken Township on March 25, 2015

Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Newark March 4

EATONTOWN, N.J – Residents and property owners in coastal communities in Essex County, New Jersey will be able to ask questions and obtain information on their property’s flood hazard risk at a

Public Open House on Flood Maps

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 4 to 8 PM

Azores Social & Sports Club

142 Wilson Ave, Newark, NJ

These Preliminary FIRMS identify areas of flood risk in the following Essex County communities:

North Caldwell, Borough of

Newark, City of

Township of Belleville,

Township of Bloomfield,

Township of Fairfield,

Township of Montclair,

Township of Nutley,

Township of West Caldwell,

Community and county officials in Essex County have arranged for the Flood Risk Open House to assist residents and property owners with questions and concerns regarding flood hazards and flood insurance rate maps.

The Open House will cover flood hazard and FIRM map information only. No information will be available concerning outstanding insurance claims or disaster-related recovery efforts.

If you are in a high-risk flood zone, known as the SFHA, you may be required by your lender to carry flood insurance. FEMA staff will be available at the Open House to talk about these changes.

For additional information on flood hazard risk and the mapping process, please visit www.region2coastal.com

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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Flood Map Meeting to Take Place in Newark March 4

Flood Map Meetings Scheduled in Ocean County

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Ocean County residents and property owners will be able ask questions and obtain information on their property’s flood hazard risk at two Open Houses scheduled to take place in Ocean County on Wednesday, Feb. 25 and Thursday, Feb. 26 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Community and county officials in Ocean County’s coastal communities have arranged for the Flood Risk Open Houses to assist residents and property owners with questions and concerns regarding flood hazards and flood insurance rate maps.

The Flood Risk Open Houses will take place at these locations:

Ocean:
- Wednesday, February 25^th, 2015 at the Ocean County Government Complex, Building 5 Cafeteria, 129 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
- Thursday, February 26th, 2015 at the Ocean County Southern Service Center, 179 South Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08092

The Open Houses will cover flood hazard and FIRM map information only. No information will

be available concerning outstanding insurance claims or disaster-related recovery efforts.

If you are in a high-risk flood zone, known as the SFHA, you may be required by your lender to carry flood insurance. FEMA staff will be available at the Open House to talk about these changes.

For additional information on flood hazard risk and the mapping process, please visit www.region2coastal.com

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.”

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Flood Map Meetings Scheduled in Ocean County

Palm Beach County Residents Invited To See Preliminary Flood Maps

Attend Open House and Learn about Flood Risks in Your Community

ATLANTA – People who live in Palm Beach County and its municipalities are invited to look at newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for the county at four public open houses during the week of September 8^th, 2014. Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open houses will provide the residents of Palm Beach County with the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding, and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.

All four open houses will be held between 4 and 7 p.m. The open house dates and locations are:

Monday, September 8, 2014

Boynton Beach City Library

Library Program Room

208 South Seacrest Boulevard

Boynton Beach, FL 33435

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Palm Beach County

Hearing Room Chamber

2300 North Jog Road

West Palm Beach, FL 33411

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Belle Glade Civic Center and

Palm Beach County Library

725 NW 4^th Street

Belle Glade, FL 33430

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Jupiter Community Center

200 Military Trail

Jupiter, FL 33458

The new maps were produced through a partnership between Palm Beach County, the South Florida Water Management District, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data and the latest science available have been applied to make the maps more accurate, with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Additionally, flood risks change over time due to construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors—which is why it’s important that maps are updated periodically.

Flood maps are being updated for communities across the country. This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into the maps so that they better reflect the risk that communities face.

Property owners—both homeowners and business owners—renters, realtors, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house and take advantage of this opportunity to meet with specialists and ask questions, and learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their communities. Residents may also visit their local community’s office to view the maps in person, or call their local floodplain manager with questions about where their property is located on the preliminary maps.

Palm Beach County’s preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted and will become effective after a public comment period. This period allows property owners to submit comments and appeals if they can show that the maps are in error. Specialists will be available at the open houses to address questions that residents may have about this process. Once all comments are received and addressed, Palm Beach County may adopt the maps.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Even people living outside of high-risk areas can experience flooding, which is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. That’s why everyone, regardless of their flood zone, should take steps to financially protect themselves from a disaster which affects far too many communities each year. The primary way to do that is by purchasing flood insurance. It’s available at affordable rates through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary program administered by FEMA.

Standard homeowners’, business owners’, and renters’ insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. NFIP policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agents who people already deal with for other property insurance needs. When that isn’t possible, NFIP can put people in touch with another agent. Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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Palm Beach County Residents Invited To See Preliminary Flood Maps

Beware Those Uninvited Guests at Picnics and Beach Excursions: Thunder and Lightning Can Be Dangerous

LINCROFT, N.J. – Beach, softball and picnic season offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun.

Most of us look forward to these sunny day celebrations all year, but unfortunately Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate.

Most of us have had the experience of being outdoors when we feel the first few drops of rain on our shoulders, hear rumbles of thunder in the sky or spot a flash of lightning in the distance.

Many of us heard as children that it’s possible to gauge how far away thunder and lightning storm is by counting the seconds between the sound of thunder and the appearance of lightning in the sky.

Scientists say that there is truth to that assumption. While the speed of sound changes depending on the temperature and the amount of humidity in the air, it can reasonably be estimated to travel at approximately 1,200 feet per second or approximately one mile in five seconds.

Counting the seconds after you see the first lightning bolt in the sky, you can estimate how far away it is by using this rough measure. If 10 seconds pass before you heard thunder, then the source of the lightning is approximately 2 miles away.

Safety experts advise abiding by the 30/30 lightning rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you can’t count to 30 before hearing thunder, and stay indoors for 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

Remember, lightning is both unpredictable and dangerous. Between 1950 and 2012, more than 4,000 Americans were killed by lightning.

The top three states for lightning fatalities are Florida, with 468 deaths between 1959 and 2012; Texas, with 215 deaths between 1959 and 2012, and North Carolina, with 194 fatal strikes

While lightning may be less frequent in other states, it is no less deadly when it strikes. From 1959-2012, 74 New Jerseyans were killed by lightning.

The riskiest time of day for lightning strikes is during summer afternoons and evenings.

If you are caught outside during a sudden thunder and lightning event, get inside a building or take shelter in a hard-top (not a convertible) automobile.

Keep in mind that, contrary to common folklore, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. It is the steel frame of an automobile that provides some protection, not its rubber tires. Although you may still be at risk of injury inside an automobile, you are safer there than you would be out in the open.

If you are in an open area without shelter, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley. Be alert for flash floods.

If you are in a forest when a storm approaches, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.

If you feel your hair stand on end, which indicates that lightning is about to strike, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, put your hands over your ears and put your head between your knees in order to make yourself as small a target as possible. It’s important to minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Remember: Your chances of being struck by lightning are about 1 in 600,000 – but it does happen.

Before you make plans for the beach, ball game or picnic, check the weather report to see whether there is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch or Severe Thunderstorm Warning for your area.

By taking a few precautions, you can substantially reduce your risk of being injured by lightning and enjoy all that summer has to offer.

For more information about protecting yourself during lightning and thunder storms, go to www.ready.gov.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4086/updates/sandy-one-year-later
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications

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Beware Those Uninvited Guests at Picnics and Beach Excursions: Thunder and Lightning Can Be Dangerous

Morgan City Disaster Recovery Center Closes Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in St. Martin Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in Morgan City. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

3257 Hwy. 70
Morgan City, LA 70380

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, Oct. 27.

Recovery centers have opened in many affected parishes to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained uninsured or underinsured losses to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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Morgan City Disaster Recovery Center Closes Saturday

New Orleans Disaster Recovery Center Closes Thursday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Orleans Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center on Loyola Avenue in New Orleans. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can visit any of the other three recovery centers that remain open in New Orleans branch libraries. They are located at the Algiers Regional Branch, East NOLA Branch and the Robert E. Smith library.

Survivors can contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Main Library3
219 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70112

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Thursday, Oct. 25.

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New Orleans Disaster Recovery Center Closes Thursday

New Roads Disaster Recovery Center Closes Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, La. — Time is running out for Hurricane Isaac survivors in Pointe Coupee Parish to visit the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center in New Roads. The center closes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Although the center will close, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) after the center closes at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center is located at:

Scott Civic Center
1200 Major Pkwy.
New Roads, LA 70760

Hours are: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Wednesday, Oct. 24.

New Roads Disaster Recovery Center Closes Wednesday

Chalmette Disaster Recovery Center Will Not Reopen

BATON ROUGE, La. — The St. Bernard Parish State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center located in Chalmette and scheduled to reopen on Oct. 22 has closed down permanently.

Although the center has closed, Hurricane Isaac survivors can still contact FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Survivors may also contact the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at 1-800-659-2955 or www.sba.gov.

The center was originally located at:

3220 Jean Lafitte Blvd.
Chalmette, LA 70043

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Chalmette Disaster Recovery Center Will Not Reopen

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