I wish I could have been there, we were working. We decided to put our home back the way it was, not lift it and let the chips fall where they may in a few years. Thats all folks!

Unfortunately, FEMA isn't handing out $200,000 checks to people who decided not to buy flood insurance.
I am not sure why people do not understand that and expect the taxpayers to bail them out.

@JHill, you are right. FEMA is not handing out checks. They are charging EVERYBODY, including you, a tax to live on the shore. Your property taxes will double in a few short years if you don't: Stop FEMA Now:

www.Facebook.com/StopFemaNow

Please educate yourself and urge everyone you know to do so. The implications are wide spread and threaten the financial stability of millions of New Jerseyans.

@jim- NOTHING like that, and your suggestion is "criminal".

yes

Call Mitt He wanted to stop Fema

Yes, that's what many of us in that situation are forced to do. Contact our US Senators and Representatives to tell them to amend the Biggert-Waters law. FEMA is mandating "overkill" building elevations ($50,000-$150,000 each!) or exorbitant insurance premiums ($30,000 a year!). They will make many owners abandon their homes and businesses. No one would buy a place with those unaffordable expenses. FEMA has made our property values drop dramatically. With FEMA's (flawed) new maps, 25% of Americans are subject to those rules! Join us to save our communities: Facebook.com/StopFemaNow

Well, i put the inside of my home back, The floors, walls, elec, furnace and such over the last month. I do have a mortgage and waited to get the funds back after a 40 wait to start paying the contractor. All of the work was done inside so far. We will not and cannot afford to raise this house. We will take our chances in a few years and see what happens. As far as permits go, well this neighborhood is trashed. At least we are making an effort, unlike many homes here just sitting here a horrible mess. I know over six families that are just putting their sheet rock , floors ectera back after work and on weekends if you get my drift.

Yes, that is correct but then these people look to FEMA (aka the taxpayers) to rebuild their homes for free because they decided not to get flood insurance.

Yes, but the problem will be if you try and sell it in the furture. I just found out that Stafford Twp is going to pass a resolution that will not give CO's to anyone who purchases a home that's not up to the new elevation standards. So, I can sell my home if I want, but the people who buy it won't be able to get a CO unless its elevated. They are trying to screw us over. So I guess the whole idea of not having to raise and just forgoing insurance if my house is paid off is ok as long as I never have to sell my home.

Stafford is out to rip off all of their residents .... can't even get a straight answer from anyone in the township!

This is the key to not allowing anybody to dictate to you what you must do .Pay off your home ,you still have two years before these maps go into affect ,the banks will bleed you to death ....

Sue,
I think a lot depends on your town's attitude towards rebuilding. I wouldn't trust them. Try to get done as much as you can without permits. You can probably do a lot of repairs inside away from prying eyes. Even outside. You do not need a permit for minor "routine maintenance or upgrade" for your home. Play dumb. Get it done and let someone come after you. They're probably too busy to go after those with less damage.

@Suzanne Schmitz, if your residence was not substantially damaged ( more than 50% pre Sandy fair market value), you should be able to secure the permits that you mentioned. However, if the residence is below the advised base flood elevation(ABFE), and that elevation becomes an effective BFE when the new FIRM maps adopted, the value of the property will become severely compromised and the building may very well become worthless , or even a liability. This would also apply to properties not storm damaged but deemed to be within the boundaries of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Due to ridiculous legislation ( the Biggert-Waters Act 2012), many formerly compliant residences will have the rug pulled out from under the American Dream. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the changes that will undermine the already beleaguered economy in our region. You can learn more by visiting :

http://­Facebook.­com/­StopFe­maNow

Perhaps, a concerted effort by citizens can stop the madness the Government has brought upon us. Please educate yourself and urge everyone you know to do so. The implications are wide spread and threaten the financial stabity of millions of New Jerseyans and Americans alike.

@Suzanne Schmitz, if your residence was not substantially damaged ( more than 50% pre Sandy fair market value), you should be able to secure the permits that you mentioned. However, if the residence is below the advised base flood elevation(ABFE), and that elevation becomes an effective BFE when the new FIRM maps adopted, the value of the property will become severely compromised and the building may very well become worthless , or even a liability. This would also apply to properties not storm damaged but deemed to be within the boundaries of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Due to ridiculous legislation ( the Biggert-Waters Act 2012), many formerly compliant residences will have the rug pulled out from under the American Dream. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the changes that will undermine the already beleaguered economy in our region. You can learn more by viisiting:

www.Facebook.­com/­StopFe­maNow

Perhaps, a concerted effort by citizens can stop the madness the Government has brought upon us. Please educate yourself and urge everyone you know to do so. The implications are wide spread and threaten the financial stabity of millions of New Jerseyans and Americans alike.

The Biggert-Waters Act affects millions NOT "on the water". It is much more complicated than your personal illustration.

Was Mitt the magic underwear guy there?

I also don't think there is one residence in Ortley Beach that has room to move the house to drive pilings. Folks on the mainland so quick to throw the island under the bus should reflect on what our reduced property values will do to THEIR PROPERTY TAXES.