FLOOD PROTECTION AND COASTAL STORM SAFETY
FOR THE BOROUGH OF LAVALLETTE
OCEAN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
2012
Mayor Walter G. LaCicero
Council President Anita Zalom
Council Members
Robert Lamb
Joanne Filippone
Michael Stogdill
Lee Horan
James Borowski
The Community Rating System
The Borough of Lavallette is currently participating
in the Community Rating System (CRS) under the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP). The CRS, administered by the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), provides that a community, who
performs specific activities related to flood protection, flood
awareness, and flood prevention, can secure reduced flood insurance
premiums for all property owners within the community.
This is the Borough’s ninth year of active
participation within the program. We continue to maintain a rating
of 8 within the program guidelines. If you carry flood insurance,
this will result in 10 percent reduction in your annual flood
insurance premium. The program benefits all residents by increasing
flood protection, awareness, and prevention, as well as, premium
reductions for flood insurance policy holders.
IF YOU ARE NOT OCCUPYING THE HOME DURING THE
HURRICANE SEASON, PLEASE FORWARD THIS NOTICE TO YOUR TENANTS OR
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS LIVING IN YOUR HOME. ADDITIONAL COPIES ARE
AVAILABLE AT BOROUGH HALL.
Flood Insurance
Standard Homeowner’s Insurance Policies do not cover
losses due to floods. However, Lavallette is a participant in the
National Flood Insurance Program, which makes it possible for
Lavallette Property Owners to obtain federally backed flood
insurance. This insurance is available to any owner of insurable
property (a building or its contents) in Lavallette. Tenants may
also insure their personal property against flood loss. The Borough
encourages all property owners or renters to carry flood insurance.
The cost of flood insurance will vary depending upon
the amount of coverage and the degree of flood hazard. We urge
persons who live or own property in Lavallette to purchase flood
insurance to protect themselves from losses due to flooding. This
insurance is required in certain circumstances, such as the purchase
of a home with a federally backed mortgage.
CRITICAL NEW! If there is a Flood-Insurance Policy
lapse for any reason (sale, cancellation, etc.), any new policy will
be based on the current rating system and will not be “Grand
fathered”. In the event of a sale, policyholders must transfer
coverage to the purchaser to provide flood insurance coverage at the
“Grand fathered” (lower) rate.
Note: There is a
30-day waiting period before most flood insurance policies go into
effect.
Permit Requirements
Each homeowner is reminded that local construction
permits are required for most modifications you may plan for your
house. The municipal ordinances and/or codes contain mandatory
requirements related to new or modified building construction,
certain of which are included to provide protection against
flooding. Each homeowner should contact the Municipal Building
Department (732) 793-5105 before they build, fill, or otherwise
develop any land within the Borough. It is also important, for the
protection of the entire community, to notify the Municipal Building
Department of any illegal filling of lands or building within the
Borough that you might notice. The Lavallette Building Department
requires an elevation certificate prior to the issuance of a
Certificate of Occupancy for new or substantially improved
structures. Copies of all approved elevation certificates are
available at Borough Hall.
Drainage Maintenance
The municipal drainage system consists primarily of
underground pipelines and catch basins located at street level. The
Borough conducts semi-annual inspections of all catch basins under
municipal jurisdiction and removes all sand and debris that has
accumulated in the structure. The drainage system provides an
important function in that it minimizes, where possible, localized
flooding caused by rainwater.
The Borough of Lavallette has an anti-liter
ordinance, which prohibits the disposal of debris within the
Municipality. This ordinance in part is for the purpose of keeping
litter out of the municipal storm drainage system. Any violations
should be reported to the Borough Hall, Code enforcement Office at
(732) 793-5105 or the Police Department.
The storm drainage system carries untreated storm
runoff directly to Barnegat Bay. Illegal sanitary tie-in, pet
wastes, and discharge of such wastes as oil, paint and fertilizer
pollute the water, destroy aquatic plants, endanger wildlife and
decrease the beauty of the Bay and Ocean. It is a violation of New
Jersey State Law to discharge hazardous substance into the
environment (including waste motor oil, petroleum products,
pesticides, and herbicides). Any such discharges should be reported
to the New Jersey Environmental Hotline at 1-(877) 927-6337.
Property Protection Measurers
Every year, flooding in the United States causes
more property damage than any other type of natural disaster. In
addition, sea levels continue to rise. While improvements in
construction practices and regulations have made new homes less
prone to flood damage, there are a significant number of existing
homes susceptible to flood losses. The flooding to these properties
can be minimized through temporary and permanent retrofitting
techniques.
- One approach is to waterproof your walls and place
watertight closures over the doorways. This method should be
used on homes with basements or if water will not get over two
feet deep.
- Another approach is to raise your house above the flood
level. Over 240 houses in Lavallette over the last five years
have raised the elevation of their homes above the flood level.
There are various other actions each homeowner can
take to flood proof their homes. Electrical panel boxes, furnaces,
water heaters, and washers and/or dryers should be located at a
point in the house that is less likely to be flooded. Interior or
exterior backflow water values can be installed or interior
floodwalls can be placed around utilities in order to protect these
essential services.
If an impending flood is apparent for the area, and
time permits, the homeowner should move essential items and
furniture to the upper floors of the home for protection. Materials
such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber should be
kept on hand for emergency waterproofing of your home. The use of
these materials for a flood protection may minimize the amount of
damage caused by floodwaters. It is unlikely that you get much
warning of an imminent flooding situation so a detailed checklist
prepared in advance would help ensure your greatest protection.
During a hurricane, homes may be damaged or
destroyed by high winds and high waves. Debris can break windows and
doors, allowing high winds inside the home. Roofs, windows, doors,
and garage doors should be properly checked.
The Federal Insurance Administration suggests the
following action when coastal storms or hurricanes are imminent:
- Turn off all electrical power at panel.
- Close main gas value.
- Move household items to the highest level you can.
- Remove cardboard boxes and newspapers as these materials can
disintegrate and clog drains and vents.
- Keep a full tank of gas in your automobile.
If you leave your home, here are some essentials you
should take: first aid supplies, supply of non-perishable food,
batteries (hearing aid, flashlight), battery operated portable
radio, blankets, dry clothing, shoes, and socks, important papers,
bank and check books, valuable and cherished items, games for
children and adults
For further information on this topic, please fell
free to contact the Borough’s CRS Coordinator, Chris Parlow or the
Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator, Michele Burk at (732)
793-7477.
Flood Safety:
There are several actions residents of Lavallette
can take to decrease the potential for injury due to flooding.
- Know the flood warning procedure
- Do not attempt to cross flowing water where water is above
your knees.
- Keep children away from floodwaters, ditches, culverts, and
storm drains.
- If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately
and seek higher ground.
- Evacuate the flood hazard areas in times of impending flood
or when advised to do so by the police or fire department.
- Cut off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or
disconnect switch. If this is not possible, turn off or
disconnect all electrical appliances. Shut off the water service
and gas values in your home.
- Stay away from downed power lines and electric lines. Report
downed lines to the Municipal Police Department.
- Look out for animals. Small animals that have been flooded
out of their homes may seek shelter in your home.
- Clean everything that gets wet. Floodwater may have
contacted road chemicals, sewage, and other harmful materials.
Important Note: In
the event of a major disaster or hurricane the only means to
identify your home may be through the number affixed to the
building. Please make sure your home does have the house number
properly placed on the building. The number should be large enough
to view from the street and the color of the number should contrast
with the color of the home.
Flood / Local Hazard
The Borough of Lavallette is vulnerable to coastal
storms and hurricanes. Typically, severe winter storms, or
Nor’easters, occur each year between Mid-October and Mid-May. The
entire Borough of Lavallette is located in a special flood hazard
area and is vulnerable to flooding from the Atlantic Ocean and
Natural and Beneficial Functions
The dune and beach areas help reduce damage by
mitigating the effects of storm waves.
Without the dunes, oceanfront properties would be
exposed to the full force of waves during storm events. The natural
and beneficial function of the ocean front dunes cannot be
overemphasized. Lavallette Development of Beaches Ordinance (Chapter
7A) regulates the beach and dune area, prohibiting virtually all
construction and regulating access. What you can do to help:
- Stay off the dune!
- Cross dunes only at approved pathways or walkways.
- Support in dune maintenance (dune grass planting program).
- Report Development of Beaches Ordinance violations.
Substantial Improvements / Damage Repair
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires
that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or
other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the
building’s market value, then the building must meet the same
construction requirements of a new building. Substantially damaged
buildings must also be brought up to the same standards (e.g. a
residence damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 50%
of the building’s value before it was damaged must be elevated above
the base flood elevation). This requirement is required by the
Chapter 40 of the Code of the Borough of Lavallette, Flood Hazard
Area Ordinance, and enforced through the Building Permit process.
Flood Warning System
The following Evacuation Plan is designed for
evacuation of the Borough of Lavallette in the event of hurricanes
or severe flooding: During the likelihood of an emergency or
disaster event the Emergency Management Officials will provide
important information.
- Information Disseminated Via Radio
- You should turn your radio to one of the following radio
stations:
1160 WOBM-AM 100.1 WJRZ-FM
92.7 WOBM-FM 1310 WJLK-AM
98.5 WJLK-FM - Information Disseminated Via Television - Ocean Monmouth
Cable TV
- If you don’t have access to a radio, call 1-800-792-8314 for
the New Jersey State Police Emergency Management Hotline.
- Police Department will use their loudspeakers to advise
citizens of the emergency and information regarding evacuation
routes.
- During most events, traffic control positions will be
located at the following intersections:
Route 35 North and Ortley Avenue
Route 35 South and New Brunswick Avenue
Bay Boulevard and New Brunswick Avenue - If you are unable to evacuate please contact the Lavallette
Police Department at (732) 793-4800 to arrange your
transportation to inland shelter.
New Policy
FEMA has recently initiated a change in the way the
Community Rating System (CRS) premium discounts are applied. If you
are a flood insurance policy holder, you have been receiving a
discount on your flood insurance premium based on the Borough’s
involvement in the CRS program. Effective May 1, 2008, FEMA has
instituted a new policy. The policy states that flood insurance
policies for buildings that are rated as having the lowest floor one
foot or more below the base flood elevation will no longer be
eligible for the Borough’s CRS discount. Most policy holders will
not know why there is an increase because their renewal policy
statement may not mention it or their premiums are paid by a
mortgage escrow account. However, upon receipt of the payment of the
annual renewal, the issued declaration page will have a zero for the
CRS discount. If you are notified that the CRS discount has been
removed there may be ways to inexpensively retrofit the structure to
bring it into compliance. The Borough does maintain copies of all
Elevation Certificates that have been filed over the last several
years. Copies of the certificates are available for review and
should provide the answer as to why the discount was removed. Your
insurance agent can also verify how the structure has been rated. It
is possible that there is an error in the lowest floor or base flood
elevation.
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s) Information
The Borough of Lavallette will continue to provide
inquirers with information from the Flood Insurance Rate Maps,
including the flood zone, and a property’s base flood elevation. The
actual Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for review at the
Borough Clerk’s Office. The Borough is located in a Coastal A Zone.
Local Directory
The following is a list of contact personnel who
have the knowledge, experience, and have agreed to discuss flood
hazard protection methods with you.
Bureau of Dam Safety and Flood Control
James Watt
(609) 292-2296
Ocean County Soil Conservation District:
David
Friedman, District Director
(609) 971-7002
Borough CRS Coordinator:
Chris Parlow
(732)
793-7477
Borough Building Inspector:
Kenneth E. Kiseli
(732) 793-5105
Emergency Management Coordinator
Police Chief
Colin Grant
(732) 793-4800
Borough Engineer:
Michael O’Donnell (732)
573-0490
FEMA Region II -
Mary Colvin
(212)
680-3600
Army Corps of Engineers
(215) 656-6500
Additional information concerning flood protection
assistance is available on the following websites as well as the
Upper Shores Branch of the Ocean County Library:
Emergency Notification System
The Emergency Notification System will send messages to a database of telephone numbers and email addresses. The Borough of Lavallette strongly encourages all residents and guests to visit our website at www.lavallette.org/notify , and register your land line, cell phone numbers and email addresses to receive emergency messages from the Borough of Lavallette.
Flood Map
A sample copy of the Borough’s Flood Map is included
on this page. The actual Flood Insurance Rate Maps are available for
review at the Borough Clerk’s Office. The Borough is located in a
Coastal A Zone.
Important Update - Preliminary Work Maps:
The Preliminary Work Map information is now
available on the FEMA Region 2 Coastal
Website:
www.Region2Coastal.com
The online Tool, “What is my Base Flood Elevation (BFE)?” is also
available on
www.Region2Coastal.com
for residents and property owners.
Lavallette Preliminary
Maps
OceanNJ_Panel_0327
OceanNJ_Panel_0329
Email link
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