UPDATE: Barnegat Braces For Storm, One Day After Introducing FEMA Flood Maps

Just one day after Barnegat Township Committee members became the latest public officials to join the chorus of Jersey Shore town leaders who have introduced FEMA's flood advisory maps while simultaneously objecting to them, emergency management officials here are warning residents about the potential for another storm.

DBarnegat police Lt. Keith Germain, who is with Barnegat's office of emergency management, told Patch that residents that live in low lying areas are urged to move their cars, and secure their belongings.

Germain's comments came just one day after township officials introduced the town's FEMA flood advisory maps.

Township Administrator David Breeden said at the regular committee meeting Monday that because of Gov. Chris Christie's Executive Order in January, the town had to comply with the order, but he said, "by adopting these maps, it does not mean we agree with the maps..in fact we don't agree with them."

Gov. Chris Christie announced last month that New Jersey will adopt the Federal Emergency Management's (FEMA) Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps.
Christie's intent: to give owners whose homes were destroyed by Superstorm Sandy the guidance necessary to rebuild their homes without further delay.

But Barnegat officials, like many othrs, note that under the new maps, many homes have been moved into "V Zones," the most dangerous "velocity zones" where homes could be damaged by ocean waves of at least three feet.

These owners now face two grim choices: pay huge sums to elevate homes that suffered only minor damage ... or pay huge sums in annual flood insurance premiums because their homes are below base flood elevation.

Township officials are working with the township engineer to formulate a comprehensive answer to FEMA on the maps.

Resident Jake Taylor, who lives on the water in Barnegat, said "I know a lot of people that live there don't agree with them, I just hope we're on the record as disagreeing with them."

Breeden said by introducing the maps, township resident can participate in the Hazard Mitigation Program, and the Increased Cost of Compliance programs.