U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Leads Call for Review of Flood Maps

Statement

Congressman Gregory Meeks released the following statement calling for a review of flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

"The preliminary flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the National Flood Insurance Program may have inaccurately designated up to 35 percent of the flood zone. Flood maps provide insurance companies an understanding of the risk associated with flood damage and are overseen through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The accuracy of flood maps helps spread flood risk among vulnerable communities in the tristate area and around the nation. Inaccurate maps may lead to increases to flood insurance premiums and long term rate hikes for policy holders.

"In January, FEMA issues the preliminary map for New York City. Shortly thereafter, the City requested an independent analysis of the maps methodologist. Based on the conclusion of this analysis, Mayor Bill de Blasio prepared the City's appeal to FEMA citing an overestimation of 100-year floodplains. I, along with Nydia Velazquez, Joe Crowley, Grace Meng, Charles Rangel, Jerrold Nadler, Eliot Engel, Yvette Clarke, Jose Serrano, Daniel Donovan and Hakeem Jeffries are also calling on FEMA to review the City's appeal and take into consideration the impact inaccurate maps might have on homeowners across the region.

"Representative Meeks said, "We fully support the City's efforts to improve the accuracy of New York City's flood maps. We must do everything in our power to make sure that the National Flood Insurance Program possesses state of the art mapping techniques, and sound policies to develop accurate flood maps that do not unnecessarily concentrate risk. I along with my colleagues in the NewYork City delegation, will continue to address the concerns of Super Storm Sandy victims with FEMA, HUD, and the Department of Homeland Security in order to bring relief to Sandy survivors."

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