A meeting by a grassroots organization dedicated to opposing the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) flood maps was shut down by Toms River police Saturday after being overwhelmed by large crowds.
The group, Stop FEMA Now, is hoping its unified voice will reach elected officials and encourage them to speak out against FEMA's Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps, which were recently adopted by the State. If the maps aren't changed, thousands of residents along New Jersey's coasts will be required to elevate their homes or face potentially financially-crippling flood insurance premiums in the years go come.
After its meeting last week saw about 25 people show up to Belly Busters Subs for a brief discussion, organizers were optimistic about the group moving forward, hopeful that it would gain more traction and attract a larger crowd.
They didn't expect this.
About 100 people crowded into the frozen yogurt shop next door to the sub shop, packing every inch of the place and forcing more still to be turned away at the door. With the parking lot full, residents from Toms River, Brick, and other coastal communities parked their cars in far away lots, making the dangerous trek along the road's narrow shoulders in the rain down.
Others ignored the boulevard's posted "No Stopping" signs and simply parked on the side of the road.
An apologetic Toms River Police Department Chief Michael Mastronardy asked the crowd to end the meeting quickly to ensure that the residents' safety wasn't compromised.
"We want you to meet safely," he said. "Let's get a safe location. Whatever information you have to get out, get it out as quick as possible.
Several officers were on hand helping direct traffic and even closing off turning lanes to accommodate the crowd. Police were patient and helpful, even offering residents a lift to their far-away parked cars, and organizers said they held no ill will for the shut down.
"We just need to get a safe venue for you and do this right," Mastronardy said.
Stop FEMA Now organizer George Kasimos said the crowd was larger than anticipated. About 20 people RSVP'd, he said, with the majority showing up after learning about the meeting online and in a recent Patch article.
For the group's next meeting, one that has already been set for March 9 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Kasimos said he plans on finding a much larger location to house the crowd. Now, he's just got to find it.
To stay up to date with Stop FEMA Now meeting times and locations, visit the group's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stopfemanow or visit www.stopfemanow.com.
For a video recap of Saturday's meeting, check back with Patch Sunday.
Engineers are great and I'm sure will agree that the zones are not what they should be, but the power comes from being able to litigate that and make it cost a whole lot of money to ram this non-sense down our throats. If 170,000 effected homes file suit, then they will listen...a lot more so than even to 100 meetings that barely get a media blink. We need some well known lawyers to step up. R
wee.stopfemanow.com
Building dunes and replenishing beaches would be CHEAPER and MORE EFFECTIVE than raising tens of thousands of homes for a few billion dollars. It's physically impossible to raise many homes, even if each owner had a spare $100,000 lying around. That, and the alternative of $30,000-a-year insurance premiums, would result in mass abandonment of the Shore. FEMA has created another multi-billion-dollar bungle! FEMA is expanding flood zones. Near rivers, lakes, bays, coast-to-coast, up to 25% of all Americans will be in its bureaucratic jurisdiction -- with similar “overkill” rules and expenses -- unless we Stop FEMA Now. Facebook.com/StopFemaNow ==> Next meeting March 9th, 3 PM <== at a bigger site to accommodate the crowd. Bring a friend.
Speak out about the hardships FEMA is causing. Help us prevent the abandonment of tens of thousands of homes that physically can't be raised, that their owners can't afford to raise, and that will have exorbitant annual insurance costs -- all based on errroneous maps. ==> StopFemaNow.com
I grew up on the water and would never want a house there to worry about the next storm that will wipe out my home and personal belongings, yet alone my memories...... If you have the balls to live there, then have the balls to do what you have to do to keep your house safe and stop whining... The water houses are for the rich that can afford to live there
I'm sure these people can give you several conflicing answers based on rumor, speculation, poltical and just plain WAGs.
Our properties and our lives are more important than the precious ocean views of an elite few who won't sign easements. Use eminent domain and build dunes and beef up beaches. After "the rich" raise their mansions 13 feet, they'll have views again.
Dunes and beaches are cheaper and more effective than FEMA's draconian scheme that will bankrupt the Shore.
www.stopfemanow.com
ya hear? @Bayville Mom, Come meet the REAL people Everyday people just like you, let's visit @ www.stopfemanow.com for information about our next meeting coming soon to a theater near YOU!
"Gov. Cuomo said yesterday that 169 of 192 residents of Staten Island’s storm devastated Oakwood Beach have taken him up on his offer to buy out their Sandy-ravaged homes. "The people who live in the battered neighborhood have been enticed by a deal that will pay them 100 percent of their damaged home’s prestorm market value — plus 5 percent if the homeowners stay on Staten Island, Cuomo said. The feds will pick up 75 percent of the tab."
The FEMA shelter camp taped in the accompanying video link is home for victims of Sandy and is located in Oceanport, New Jersey. This camp is taking on the look of permanence as it contains 40 acres of emergency housing and is located in the parking lot of a race track. The camp is complete with hot meals and hot showers