Surf City Adopts Flood Maps, Waits to Hear on Grant Funding

The Surf City borough council adopted the Federal Emergency Management Agency's advisory base flood elevation (ABFE) maps April 10 on second reading, the final passage of an ordinance that mirrors the state's adoption of the same maps.

The maps, which can be found online, were released in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, though they were in the works long before the storm struck the Jersey Shore.

Though controversial statewide, no members of the public commented during a required hearing before adoption.

Adopting the maps has been a necessity for most of New Jersey's coastal communities, especially since the state as a whole adopted them as part of an administrative rule. The map adoption also ensures that Surf City residents are eligible for grants to repair storm damage that are contingent on having the borough recognize current elevation requirements in its ordinances.

Those grants will likely come in the form of Community Development Block Grants and Hazard Mitigation Grants.

The borough has applied for Hazard Mitigation funding to assist residents, though it has yet to hear back on how much money – if any – will be allotted to Surf City, said Mary Madonna, borough clerk and administrator.

"We're still waiting to hear," Madonna said.

According to the advisory maps, the entire borough is within a flood zone.

Homes along the ocean and bayfront, as well as portions of bay blocks running from N. 5th St. to N. 10th St. are contained in the 'V,' or velocity zone, meaning homes there must meet both elevation requirements as well as a piling foundation requirement. Homes in 'A' flood zones must still meet elevation requirements, but are allowed to remain on block foundations. Elevation requirements in Surf City range from 14 feet on the oceanfront to 7 feet in the middle blocks.

Homes damaged more than 50 percent during Sandy must rebuild to the new standards, and those with mortgages that require flood insurance will face annual premiums in the area of $30,000 if they do not comply.

The maps are still subject to change. The state – and the council – adopted advisory maps. FEMA is expected to release its preliminary base flood elevation, BFE, maps this summer. Those maps will most likely take into account structures such as homes, docks and other features which will alter where the 'V' zones are located and reduce their footprint on the map, though the elevations are likely to remain about the same.