Recovery Toolkit for Property Owners
Rebuilding using FEMA flood hazard data can reduce the vulnerability of your home to flooding and flood damage, potentially decreasing the cost of flood insurance and the cost to recover from future storms and floods. Here’s how you can get started:
- Find out the flood elevation and zone for your property using the ”What Is My BFE?” address lookup tool, which produces a short report of the updated and effective flood hazard information for your property. Knowing this information allows you to be better informed when you meet with your local building and permitting authority to discuss your individual property building requirements.
- Consult with your local building officials before building to determine elevation and construction requirements for your home or building. Keep in mind that some communities will require building higher than the FEMA elevations.
- Take action to reduce your risk of future flood damage. Learn about other ways that you can reduce the risk to your property from flooding on the Mitigation Action page.
Helpful Resources
FEMA Flood Hazard Information
Preliminary FIRM Data page
This page includes links to online map viewers showing preliminary FIRM data for coastal New Jersey and New York communities. Preliminary FIRM information is also available for viewing and download through FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, the official online source for preliminary and effective FIRMs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions related to flood risk, flood hazard mapping, and other topics related to the coastal flood study.
National Flood Insurance Program
FloodSmart.gov
The official website of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) contains a wealth of helpful information about flood insurance, including tools to help you determine policy coverage, estimate rates and find an agent in your area.
Flood Insurance Reform
The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA) is the most recent law passed to strengthen the National Flood Insurance Program. HFIAA repealed certain parts of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, restoring grandfathering, putting limits on certain rate increases, and applying an annual surcharge to policyholders.
FEMA’s Homeowner’s Guide to Elevation Certificates fact sheet and Elevation Certificate webpage provide information about what elevation certificates are (forms that document a building’s elevation) and how they are used in relation to flood insurance and building requirements.
Rebuilding/Recovery
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Hurricane Sandy Information Webpage
The page provides comprehensive information about rebuilding and recovery efforts in the State of New Jersey and includes a helpful FAQ fact sheet for New Jersey homeowners.
New York City Department of Buildings Rebuilding After Sandy Webpage
New York City has adopted preliminary FIRM information as the standard for new construction and substantially damaged buildings. This page provides information about rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy in New York City. Find contact information for the Department of Buildings and other agencies.
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Advisories
Recovery advisory bulletins have been developed by FEMA’s Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) studying the damages from Hurricane Sandy. They offer mitigation measures that could be taken to minimize damage to buildings.
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Webpage
FEMA’s webpage devoted to information on ICC coverage available to flood insurance policy holders. Topics covered include how much coverage is available, what is covered and when and how to file an ICC claim.
ReNEW Jersey Stronger
Funding options for New Jersey homeowners are provided through the reNEW Jersey Stronger website. Options include the New Jersey Home Elevation Program funded by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program which provides reimbursement of up to $30,000 for elevations of existing single family homes in certain counties severely affected by Sandy.
FEMA Building Science Resources to Assist with Reconstruction After Hurricane Sandy
FEMA has produced numerous publications detailing best practices for natural hazard mitigation associated with hurricane impacts. This flyer summarizes a few of the readily available publications and resources that can be used by homeowners during reconstruction following Hurricane Sandy.
Hurricane Sandy Road to Recovery: A New York Homeowner’s Guide is a FEMA publication available to inform homeowners affected by Sandy of different options and resources available for recovery.
Need Assistance?
Can’t find what you’re looking for on this page? For additional assistance, please call 1-800-427-4661 or go to the Contacts page to find the right subject matter expert.