So basically ALL homes must be raised regardless of the damage. Yes the shore will be altered, it will be a barren wasteland because people cannot afford this extra cost.

What do people who's homes are on slabs and can't be raised and who can't afford exorbitant insurance rates to do? We have lived in this home over 30 years with no problem. We won't be able to sell and we won't be able to live there. Do we have to just walk away from the only home our family knows??? Please put some sense in what is happening!!!

So let me get this straight. According to the FEMA and Christie, I now live in an area that has a chance of flooding 8 feet 26% of the time over a 30 year mortgage. So that comes down to a storm every 7.5 yrs or so. So why are they all still calling this storm "a once in a century storm" then? Now this is based off the wording used from FEMA's own website for zone a & z.

Makes you wonder who is getting that next board of directors job that is getting ready to open up due to the crappy response the insurance companies have had over this.....

Plus insane height requirements 3' to 7' higher than sandy flooded on inland lagoons , its so obvious they are off and it will come at a cost to us....

We get the government we deserve.

How about building flood dams at the inlets....Would,nt that be a less expensive option...

10 cents on the dollar for your land & ONLY the big Hotels can afford to build..Then all of a sudden gameling will be OK'd for the Sandy era Barrier Island Casino/Hotels brought to you by the connected GOP in OC & Wash. DC mega rich..

There are areas in the barrier island that have lower abfes than me by 2 to 3 feet and im 5 or 6 houses away from the dead end of the lagoon ........the maps are inaccurate ,everyone knows that.....

I think he has a plan ,accept the maps to get the funding for people who need it then he or someone else will fight over the ridiculousness of them when they go preliminary

Why would the town engineer ask FEMA to make Ortley a zone V. He did that in his letter, I read it and I asked the Mayor and Maruca how that helps Ortley. I get NO ANSWERS.

It's snowing!!

So does this mean that every home, damaged or not in zones A and V have to be raised? I like most people are more confused now then we were before.

Sadly if your in a A or V zone it seems like the houses need to be raised (though not mandated) its recommneded. Keep in mind if you dont raise your home then your subject to what I believe the Gov said in an article I read on here up to $31,000 a year (the extreme i am assuming) for flood insurance. If you raise it lowers to 7,000 a year for coverage and if you go two feet above the standard suggestion then you cut that 7000 in half...even so we are all screwed....time to walk away...it seems

I wish Gov Christie would tell us what he will be doing with the Governors Mansion in IBSP?
Will he be raising the GM to conform to the new FEMA BAFE and to the new V Zone standards? (He gets paid to make decisions) please decide. (His words)

Let’s call it what it is… A TAX. It is a tax on people who had the good sense to get flood insurance and unfortunately had the audacity to put in a claim. Now the “house” (Insurance Companies) want their money back. They are locking the doors to the casino, raising the table limits, adding a few decks to shuffle and forcing you to sit down and play until they get every penny back and then some.

Why is new Jersey the only state listed with new abfe's on the maps? Why isn't new york dealing with this, and for that Matter why is no other state show any concerns over Fema's new flood premiums? Is Jersey the Guinea pig for this ? Are we the only state that got hit by sandy?

So, after Sandy devastated the Jersey Shore (prime property), FEMA makes new flood plane elevation maps. Gov Christie adopts it for the state. One major storm in the last how many years? Makes you wonder how many times FEMA changed the flood maps after the Passaic River flooded. Guess that is not prime real estate up there. Also makes you wonder if government agencies are making the most of a bad situation.

If all the dunes are built (ending the ocean views of a privileged few) and beaches are replenished, 1000s of bayside and mainland homes won't be in extreme flood zones, ending the need for extreme elevations of their houses. However, the privileged few "rule." They get their way, thanks to their lawyers and campaign donations. We "little people" will have to sell or abandon our homes, making way for the moneyed class and more McMansions.

If all the dunes are built (ending the ocean views of a privileged few) and beaches are replenished, 1000s of bayside and mainland homes won't be in extreme flood zones, ending the need for extreme elevations of their houses. However, the privileged few "rule." They get their way, thanks to their lawyers and campaign donations. We "little people" will have to sell or abandon our homes, making way for the moneyed class and more McMansions.

“Water seeks its own level,” as quoted sadly may be the most disturbing truth right now. Other than getting houses, cars and other debris out of the bay for fishing, boating and bathing pleasure there is little sense for further dredging. As popular as it sounds it will do little to decrease the likelihood of flooding. The only way to stop the flooding would be to limit the amount of water that actually enters the bay. The bays are being fed by the Atlantic Ocean lest we forget. We may in fact have to raise our homes but we don’t need a fist to the podium and a mandate backed up with a threat. We need a roadmap and some reassurances that we can do this and our representatives have our backs or perhaps take the lead.

Revolution or stop paying for everything and buy a 11 and a half inch sub at subway

Boycott the island.

The costs are not "unimaginable" 10,000 homes x $30,000 = $300 Million Dollars.
Manchester just lost $700 Million Dollars in home valuation, since it's last valuation.
It's about 1 car per household. If you wish to live near an Ocean, there are costs. Those living there have been lucky, but their luck has run out. So now it's time to pay the piper.

Hey Michelle, sorry you feel like you're under the bus. Don't take it personally unless you made the decision not to build up the dunes or objected to dunes in front of your view. Guess what - We pay our taxes too! We do not live off of you. We just decided not to purchased waterfront property because we understood that premium property carried with it a higher tax load. We simply ask to be treated fairly when this is all final. How is it fair for FEMA (and now our governor) to raise the backbay communities to a higher flood level than those along the oceanfront? Does their decision take into consideration the fact that our properties might not have flooded if those communities along the ocean had put dunes in place when the Army Corps. of Engineers made this recommended years ago? Can you please explain to us why our flood zone should be higher?

If your home had no damage and you are moving from a X zone to A zone do you still have to raise or pay these high premiums? If you had damage but purchased a PRP Policy while in an X zone will you grandfathered in when you become a A zone?

Depending on the heights of your house ,you will need an elevation certificate to determine that . Unfortunately you won't be grandfathered

Within the small area that is Ortley Beach, look at the different degrees of damage done in areas that had dunes, and areas that did not. In Ortley Beach proper, more damage was done than in the first three blocks of Ortley next to Seaside. Harding avenue in Ortley could arguably be called the worst hit. Toms River collects beach fees from the Ortley public beach. They are supposed to pay for beach maintenance. There are residents of Ortley (one very knowledgeable individual in particular) who have said that Toms River has not maintained the dunes for at least the last 10 years. Refer to the minutes of the December 26 Toms River council meeting. Then maybe the question that Ortley residents need to ask is "what happened to the beach badge revenue" and "why were the dunes neglected for so many years"? Then they may need to examine Toms River's responsibility for their extensive damage exacerbated by lack of dune maintenance.

The following comes from the Press of Atlantic City. It may help further clarify the murky issue of flood premiums.

Flood-insurance rates, which were not affected by the advisory maps, already have shot up as of this month due to new federal regulations requiring property owners to pay more into a deeply indebted National Flood Insurance Program. For those properties that may be below the base flood elevation in a few years, the cost increase is staggering, former DEP Commissioner Mark Mauriello said.

Flood insurance for a typical coastal zone house built to the minimum elevation standard would be about $1,700 per year for full coverage, he said. If the structure has been raised to 2 feet above the minimum, the cost is $633 a year. But if the house is 1 foot below the minimum standard, the cost is $5,200 a year; 2 feet below costs $8,300 a year, Mauriello said. Mortgage lienholders typically require homeowners in FEMA flood zones to carry flood insurance.

If a house is in a velocity zone and is 4 feet below the new elevation, as is what is listed for the entire Mystic Islands section of Little Egg Harbor Township, homeowners that make no changes will see an average annual premium in several years of as much as $31,000, Christie said.

Rich or poor ,no one is stupid enough to pay these rates . Are the mortgage companies that we owe money to ok with Fema adding $400 to $2600 a month? How is it that I needed blood samples to get approved for my mortgage but they can do whatever they want ,this is a joke

i agree Floodgate. This is a horrible situation. We already started renovating but cannot afford to raise and pay that type of money. They are insane.....

The most flood insurance will pay is $250,000. Why would anyone pay $31,000 per year for that!

I'm currently in an A zone (newly 8' designation). With this statement below by TR, do we raise to the V levels by the ocean (14') or V levels by the bay (10')? Of course there is no statement by the township that they'll relax the 35' height restriction.

Ortley Beach Property Owners. The ABFEs will be revised and final maps issued in August 2013. It is expected that the revised maps will place Ortley Beach entirely in a “V” zone. Building and zoning permits will be issued for dwellings rebuilt according to the adopted ABFEs (under which some sections of Ortley Beach are not in a “V” zone). But because of the expected change to Ortley Beach’s designation, property owners should consult with their professionals to determine the safest and most cost-effective way to rebuild. Again, non-compliant homes risk not only significantly higher insurance rates, but severe damage from future storms.

Michelle, you are correct when you say that we should not fight among ourselves right now. We all are victims of both the storm and our broken FEMA system. It is not my intention to upset anyone further, but rather simply point out a huge discrepancy in the FEMA flood map that needs to be addressed. My home is actually at a base elevation of 8ft and now we are looking at having to raise our homes in this area to 14ft. - on pilings. We are not even waterfront let alone oceanfront. It just doesn't make any sense.

Having personally experience the storm on the island in Ortley Beach and having had to opportunity to survey the damage immediately after the storm, I must say that the FEMA map as presented is pretty accurate. Moving forward any adjustment is made, I for see them being lowered. Many unique circumstances took place during this unprecedented storm. Much of the damage that took place on the barrier island was due to poor planning/building of dunes. Toms River needs to admit to the lack of pro action and now step up and do the right thing for the community that has being paying for but not receiving services. The Mayor and the Engineer are clearly most concerned for the mainland residents. It,s time for our government to represent us all equally. All Toms River residents must demand better from our local leaders!

I wish I knew that guy who climbed the Jet Star , I would have paid him to make our statement heard

This is a circus

All of the residents of the barrier island who are part of Toms river who have public beach should get together and do a class action against toms river for not fixing the dunes for 25 years,,,,thats what destroyed there houses

Lets face it. We are not the only ones that will have to raise our homes or have higher flood insurance premiums. Every homeowner who is in a flood zone will soon realize that this is not just a Superstorm Sandy issue. By the way 18% of all homeowners in the U.S.A. live in a flood zone. (Think of Wayne, BoundBrook, Florida, Mississipi Valley, etc... This is going to have massive implications to the housing market.

On a semi-good note. I just came back from the Toms River meeting about reconstruction. The FEMA representative stated that the new Flood Insurace Rates will not kick in for 2 years. Also a few of the Toms River representatives stated that they are going to vigorously fight the elevation levels set by FEMA. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

If you are a flooded homeowner please visit and like www.facebook.com/StopFemaNow
we need to get numbers to hear our voices heard

Where are our 2 US Senators concerning this matter ???

http://m.pressofatlanticcity.com/article_785ac2f6-675a-11e2-9ada-001a4bcf887a.html?fb_comment_id=fbc_133544226811781_193070_133952563437614

Here's a great article to read. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/fema-to-demand-that-hurri_n_869584.html

Some1..just help us..love 4 the shore..

Twas FEMA that killed the Jersey Shore and our elected officials are allowing it to happen for the most part. Kudos to those that are standing up to the FED.

ULTERIOR MOTIVES IN TOMS RIVER'S ATTEMPTS TO MANIPULATE ABFEs.....

Ortley Beach Property Owners. The ABFEs will be revised and final maps issued in August 2013. It is expected that the revised maps will place Ortley Beach entirely in a “V” zone. Building and zoning permits will be issued for dwellings rebuilt according to the adopted ABFEs (under which some sections of Ortley Beach are not in a “V” zone). But because of the expected change to Ortley Beach’s designation, property owners should consult with their professionals to determine the safest and most cost-effective way to rebuild. Again, non-compliant homes risk not only significantly higher insurance rates, but severe damage from future storms.

Mainland Property Owners. The ABFEs establish several new “V” zone designations on the mainland. Township officials strongly disagree with those designations and have registered those objections with FEMA. At present, however, the Township’s objections have been overruled with the State’s adoption of the ABFEs. Consequently, the “V” zone designations remain in place for the present time and property owners located therein must rebuild accordingly. These “V” zone designations on the mainland may “shrink” with the issuance of the final maps in August 2013, but this change is not certain.

According to gov Christie's press conference in seaside heights last week. He stated that there were numerous errors with the flood maps. But he stated that if there are any updates it would be to put homes in lower classifications.

Www.facebook.com/StopFemaNow
Lets get together and fight this together

While those rebuilding will have to build higher, they will at least get assistance in doing so. Those of us whose homes were high enough that they did not flood will bear the entire cost of this out of pocket. As a result of the new map my home is now 2.4 inches below the new ABFE for my area. As such if the new rates go into affect as have been discussed in other articles I would be forced to walk away from my home as my flood insurance alone, required by my mortgage company, would cost more than my current payment which included taxes and insurances. Property values took a beating when the housing bubble collapsed a few years ago and again after Sandy. Raising my home would not increase it's value one dime. It would only maintain a value that is less than what I currentl owe. If all of the Government officials and regulators can explain how that would make sense for me I'd love to hear it. I am not going to put one more nickle into my undamaged home because if this is not resolved I am looking at a strategic forclosure. Most that I have talked to whose homes were not damaged are in the same boat. Others I have talked to who sustained "substantial damage" are paying off their mortagages with their insurance settlements, tearing down their homes, taking what they can get for the lots, and moving on. This will destroy the ratable base at the shore. If our Governor does not want the Jersey Shore to become the "Detroit" of NJ this needs to be addressed.

Dear Press, Public Officials and Flood Insurance Property Owners:

What we want are our Politicians to change;
1) A thorough re-evaluation of the flood zones, in a timely fashion.
2) Evaluating if we raise the dunes a few feet if it will significantly reduce all our flood levels and insurance premiums.
3) Getting quick answers as to who gets the mitigation grants, when they get the grant and for how much.
4) Creative ways to lower our flood insurance premiums
5) Grace period of a few years before the rise in flood insurance premiums
6) FEMA to notify all homeowners of the impending new flood insurance rates and elevation requirements

What we want from all Flood Insurance homeowners to do;
1) Copy and paste this email and send to your local, state, federal politicians and members of Press.
2) Form Coalition to protect our interests.
3) Spread the word to your neighbors

George Kasimos
www.facebook.com/StopFemaNow

So if you had no interior damage (less than 50% obviously), and you have a mortgage so need flood insurance and FEMA has changed their mind on your zone = you have to pay to raise your house but don't qualify for the Increased Cost of Compliance grant? How is that fair? I bought my house 5 years ago and trusted that FEMA's maps were reliable and therefore thought I knew what my flood insurance would be and it fit into my budget. Now I come to learn that the old maps were considered outdated anyway. Wasn't it FEMA'S repsonsiblity to provide semi-accurate information on this? A sharp increase in flood insurance is NOT something I can afford. If I try to sell my house I will have to pay significantly at the closing table. Raising my house will cost aprox $40,000-$60,000.

Our house was 7 ft above the 100 yr flood. We were so very fortunate that the water stopped inches below our floor joists. Only the crawl, shed and garage had water. All things not covered by our flood insurance anyway. Now we are 2 ft below? Because we did not suffer the horrible tragedy of many we do not qualify for remediation grants. What the heck did we pay flood insurance for? This house has been in the family since 1983. Never had we seen water cover our dock. I feel greatly for those on the barrier island. But the dunes must go up all along the Jersey shore. If the dunes were there we never would have flooded the way we did. Build those dunes. Sorry Richie Rich but your few weeks of views is not worth it to the rest of us. I think we should sue them. I'm so angry that the rest of us will have to pay for those views. Jersey got it wrong many years ago when they allowed people to own the beach. It is wrong in so many ways.