Final FEMA Inspections Begin Saturday in Toms River

The final FEMA inspections of Superstorm Sandy-damaged properties in Toms River will begin Saturday in Gilford Park, Money Island and the township’s downtown, officials announced.

“These are the last sections to be inspected and this process is anticipated to end within a two week time frame,” the township said in a statement.

Each team will be accompanied by a police officer, have township placards in their vehicles and carry FEMA/Dewberry Contractor identification on them at all times, officials said.

“The homeowner does not have to be present. The inspectors will NOT go inside the home unless specifically asked to do so by the homeowner,” reads a statement issued by the township.

Inspectors will photograph all four sides of the residence and possibly look into the windows to attempt to determine the high water mark, damage to the foundation, major structural issues, roof damage, wind damage and any “wave action” that may have taken place, officials said.

Inspection take about 15 minutes to complete, according to officials. After these inspections, representatives will move into the township's Bay Shores section.

At the time of the earlier Ortley Beach 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.