Letter to Mr. Michael Moriarty, Acting Regional Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Letter
Letter to Mr. Michael Moriarty, Acting Regional Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Schumer Urges FEMA to Immediately Review Supplemental Information Provided by Town of Gates in Order to Remove Properties From Inaccurate Flood Zones
In February, FEMA Agreed to Work with Town of Gates to Re-Examine Flawed Flood Maps Costing Homeowners Hundreds of Dollars in Insurance Fees
Town Officials Submitted Additional Information Required by FEMA to Remove the Properties Inaccurately Placed in the Zone but Without FEMA Approval, Homeowners Will Continue to Pay Unnecessary Fees
In Letter, Schumer Urges FEMA to Expedite Review of Gates' Request to Review Maps, Save Homeowners from Onerous Fees
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today wrote to the Federal Emergency Management Agency urging them to immediately review the supplemental information provided by the Town of Gates as part of their original request for a revision to the August 2008 flood maps. Last year, despite no record of previous flooding, dozens of homes were placed in the expanded flood zone, forcing homeowners to purchase costly, unnecessary flood insurance. Town officials recently submitted additional information required by FEMA in order to remove the several properties that may have been inaccurately added to the flood zone, but FEMA must review and approve the materials before revisions to the map are issued. Today, Schumer urged FEMA to expedite review of the additional materials and approve a revised map.
"I'm glad that FEMA and the Town of Gates have been working together to re-examine the flood maps but we need to get the ball rolling," said Schumer. "These are very tough economic times and every day that goes by without a new map means more money out of the pockets of Monroe County homeowners. I urge FEMA to quickly review the additional materials submitted by the town and issue a revised map to remove the properties that were unnecessarily placed in the zone."
Many homes in the Gates community have been placed into the expanded flood zone despite no record of previous flooding. These homeowners have been forced to pay mandatory Standard Flood Insurance Policy (SFIP) fees ranging from $400-$800. Several homeowners have successfully fought FEMA at their own expense, hiring land surveyors that proved their home should not be included in the flood zone. These surveys cost residents hundreds of dollars each.
In February, after sending a letter to then- FEMA Administrator Paulison and calling Acting Administrator Ward supporting the Town's request to revise the maps, Schumer secured a commitment from FEMA to work with the Town of Gates to reexamine the zones and consider issuing a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to remove the properties in question.
Community leaders commissioned engineers and land surveyors to provide FEMA with the detailed information necessary to issue a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR).
Now that the Town of Gates has submitted its additional requirements, it needs FEMA to quickly review the supplemental information to approve the review.
In an effort to expedite the process and help save homeowners in Gates from paying costly, unnecessary fees, today Senator Schumer wrote to FEMA Region II Acting Regional Administrator Michael Moriarty urging him to conduct an expeditious review of the Town's supplemental materials to its revision request.
In the letter, he wrote, "While I recognize the important role that the flood mapping process plays in preparing and responding to dangerous natural disasters, in order to be an effective program, it must be based on accurate data that is properly applied. With families straining to make ends meet in a difficult economy, it is important that homeowners don't face the burden of unnecessary flood insurance payments."
A full copy of the letter is below:
July 21, 2009
Mr. Michael Moriarty
Acting Regional Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
Dear Regional Administrator Moriarty:
I write today in strong support of the Town of Gates' (Monroe County, NY) recent supplement to its request for a revision to the August 2008 flood maps. The flood zone on that map was expanded, forcing dozens of homeowners who hold mortgages to purchase costly flood insurance, with policies estimated in the range of $400-$800. Town officials have recently submitted additional information required by FEMA in order to remove several properties that may have been inaccurately added to the flood zone, leaving families to foot the bill. I urge you to expedite review of these additional materials and issue a revised map.
In an effort to guarantee that flood insurance requirements have not been assigned erroneously, community leaders commissioned engineers and land surveyors to provide FEMA with the detailed information necessary to issue a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). Town of Gates officials have supplied extensive data to support their most recent request for this revision, including maps detailing surveyed elevations, and comparative mapping models.
While I recognize the important role that the flood mapping process plays in preparing and responding to dangerous natural disasters, in order to be an effective program, it must be based on accurate data that is properly applied. With families straining to make ends meet in a difficult economy, it is important that homeowners don't face the burden of unnecessary flood insurance payments. As FEMA Region II officials and engineers work with Town officials, I urge an expeditious review and approval of the Town's supplemental materials to its revision request. Thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator
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