FEMA Reps Begin Sandy Damage Inspections in Silverton

FEMA inspectors will begin completing inspections in Toms River’s Silverton section beginning Tuesday, a process that is expect to last for about the next two weeks, officials announced.

The federal inspectors are only surveying homes that have been determined to be substantially damaged by Superstorm Sandy, officials said.

FEMA representatives began inspections in Ortley Beach earlier this month. They wear vests and have proper ID, according to the township.

At the time of the Ortley inspections, some residents called the mayor’s office and said that they denied FEMA inspectors access to their storm-damaged properties, “as required by federal law and regulation.”

"Although that is certainly their prerogative, we need to let the residents know that is probably not in their best interest since the FEMA inspectors may be left with little choice but to assume that the properties they cannot gain access to suffered more damage than they actually did,” the township said in a statement at the time. “That would clearly not be in the best interest of the property owners.”

According to the township, FEMA officials are completing assessments on the damage on homes for mainly two reasons:

1. So the township can continue its eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program. Without this, Toms River residents would not be able to get new mortgages that require flood insurance, leaving many residents unable to sell their home. Also, existing mortgages which have requirements that the owner maintain flood insurance, would become void.

2. The FEMA assessments are being done to protect each homeowner, especially those who have already begun renovations on their homes. Basically, your flood insurance could be voided if you decide to rebuild without a permit, and this inspection will help the homeowner who doesn’t realize the safety aspect of having a permit on certain types of projects, such as rebuilding.  For more on permit guidelines, visit the township’s "permit guidelines for storm-damaged homes" website section.