Many of you are facing major decisions as you re-build your communities and provide for a more resilient future.  Up to date information regarding flood elevations can be critical to these decisions and your efforts to rebuild, including improved safeguards for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

We were recently notified that FEMA will provide ‘near-term’ Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) that could be vital to reconstruction efforts.  Maps will be available for the following counties:  Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, and Union, by the week of December 5, 2012 and Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Cape May, Monmouth and Ocean by the week of December 10, 2012.  This information will be posted on the FEMA Region II Coastal Analysis and Mapping website (www.Region2Coastal.com) as it becomes available.

Informed reconstruction decisions should increase the protection of your communities and help avoid future costs associated with rebuilding inadequately protected structures after future storm or flood events. Further, ensuring that rebuilding plans meet new elevation guidelines may be required for proper insurance coverage and damage reimbursement in the event of loss.

We hope you find this information helpful as you rebuild your community. If you have any questions, please contact Wayne Staub at 609-777-3051 or via email at wayne.staub@dep.state.nj.us

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