Toms River Hires Firm to Contest Flood Zones Designations

Though the number of homes in the 'V' flood zone in Toms River have decreased drastically since the Federal Emergency Management Agency released preliminary maps after Superstorm Sandy struck in Oct. 2012, township officials feel even more should be taken out of the high-risk designated area.

The township council, on Tuesday night, hired a firm to conduct a wave modeling study with the aim of convincing FEMA that additional homes should be removed from the V zone – and that many homes in the lower-risk 'A' zone should have their elevation requirements modified.

Those with homes in the 'V' zone face flood insurance premiums of tens of thousands of dollars if they are not raised and outfitted with piling foundations able to withstand moving water. The 'V' stands for "velocity" zone.

Those whose homes are in 'A' zones also face high flood insurance premiums if their homes are not raised, though some homes now in designated flood zones should not be, officials believe.

"The issue with the A zone is a major issue, because that can affect thousands of homes in town," said township engineer Robert Chankalian. "One foot can cost someone a thousand dollars or more per year."

The $50,000 contract, awarded to Najarian Associates, will fund a wave modeling study that will use specialized software to analyze the affect of storms, taking into account homes, bulkheads and other features in town that would cut down on FEMA's estimations of which areas would likely flood.

Thus far, the township's opposition to FEMA's flood zone designations has paid off. The number of homes included in 'V' zones are down from 5,000 in late 2012 to about 550, and in December, even more homes were removed from the V zone. In December, 13 additional homes were taken out of the V zone because the township contested incorrect modeling that did not follow bulkheads properly, according to township officials.

"We want to take it a little bit farther, and by hiring Najarian and Associates we think we can achieve that," said Council President Maria Maruca.