Community Rating System

BOROUGH OF SHIP BOTTOM NFIP – NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING FLOOD INSURANCE-OUTREACH

This notice is one of the many requirements set forth by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that will entitle all property owners in Ship Bottom a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Ship Bottom participates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the “Community Rating System” (CRS) which requires us to annually notify all property owners of this program, the flooding potential of this community, and the National Flood Insurance Program. Our municipality is located within the 100-year floodplain and additionally entirely located in what FEMA has labeled as a Special Flood Hazard Area. A home within a special flood hazard area has a 26% chance of experiencing flood damage during the term of a 30 year mortgage. Preliminary Base Flood Elevation Maps have been developed by FEMA and are available for viewing online at www.region2coastal.com. These maps show flood zones with the predicted flood elevations which could be reached during a 100-year period. Every year the hurricane season, June 1 through November 30, and winter storm season, pose a potential threat to our New Jersey coastline with rising sea levels, wind driven waves and tidal flooding. Since our community is situated between the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Barnegat Bay to the west, we are especially vulnerable to the destructive effects of rising flood waters. Homes located in the low lying bayside sections may experience severe flood damage, particularly older homes constructed at or near ground level. Every citizen should be prepared for the eventuality of a hurricane/storm and educate themselves on the local emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, and proper property protection measures.

FLOOD WARNINGS

When severe storms are forecasted for Long Beach Island, local cable station channel 22 and local radio stations 1650AM, WOBM (1160 AM and 92.7 FM), WJRZ (100.1 FM) and WJLK (98.5 FM) will broadcast emergency information. Warnings will also be disseminated by the Emergency Notification System (an automated telephone message), by sirens, and by police and fire vehicles equipped with the public address systems. Emergency information is also posted on Office of Emergency Management. The flood warning system is equipped to provide up to 24 hours advance warning of a flood hazard. During times of severe weather we will activate the reverse 911 calling system (Nixle). We encourage you to sign up with Nixle which is a free service that alerts you to receive trusted up to the minute reports about your neighborhood. You choose the information you want to receive at their website you can register here: https://local.nixle.com/register/. During times of imminent threats of flooding or severe weather you can also monitor important messages via social media at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/shipbottomboro

Real Time Gauge Information

FLOOD SAFETY

The Federal Emergency Management Agency suggest the following actions when coastal storms or hurricanes are imminent:

• Turn off all electrical power at panel box
• Close main gas valve
• Move furniture and personal objects to the highest level or lift them off the floor to protect them from rising water.
• Board up windows or use masking tape to keep windows from shattering.
• Move all loose out door objects and furniture to an enclosure and secure them, these objects can become projectiles in high winds.
• Move cardboard boxes and newspapers, these materials disintegrate and will clog drains and vents.
• Keep a full tank of gas in your car.
• Do not drive or wade through flooded areas, it may be deeper than it appears. TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN
• If your car stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.

If you must evacuate, here are some essential items you should take: first aid supplies, medications, supply of nonperishable food, batteries, battery operated portable radio, blankets, dry clothing (especially shoes and socks), important papers, re-entry placard, cell phone, bank card, check book, valuable and cherished items, games for children, and pet supplies. More information can be found at Office of Emergency Management.

FLOOD MAPPING-ELEVATION CERTIFICATES

Detailed flood maps, showing local flood hazard areas, can be obtained in the Construction Office at Borough Hall, 1621 Long Beach Blvd., and the Ship Bottom Public Library.  The Borough will provide inquirers with information from the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), including the flood zone, a property’s base flood elevation, location of the LiMWA or Coastal A Zone, site specific flood and flood related data (Flood Depth Data), and data on historical flooding in the community.  For Flood Zone Information call (609) 494-2171 x121

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES

If your property has had flood damage in the past and even if you have been fortunate enough to never experience a flood, there are steps to take to give your house more protection in the future. Studies have shown that Retro lifting (the practice of flood-proofing, elevating, or otherwise modifying to protect from flood damage) can effectively reduce flood damage, especially from shallow, slow moving flooding. The best way to minimize flood damage is to raise your home so the lowest habitable floor is at or above your base flood elevation. The inexpensive task of installing flood vents in your home can also reduce flood damage. Additional protection assistance can be obtained from several sources, including our local Construction Office (609-494-2171 x121), the Ship Bottom Public Library, the Ocean County Library, located in Surf City, and FEMA.

FLOOD INSURANCE

Your homeowners’ insurance policy will not cover you for losses due to flooding. Ship Bottom participates in the National Flood Insurance program that makes flood insurance available to everyone in Ship Bottom. Federal law requires that a flood insurance policy be obtained as a condition of a federally backed mortgage or loan that is secured by the building. For many people, their home and its contents represent their greatest investment. We strongly urge you to buy flood insurance to protect yourself from devastating losses due to flooding. Information about flood insurance can be obtained from your insurance agent. Property owners can insure their buildings and contents and renters can insure their possessions. Just because your house hasn’t flooded in the recent past years does not mean that you are safe. There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy takes effect, so you should call your insurance agent now. For more information on flood insurance call 1- 800-427-4661. National Flood Insurance Program website is www.floodsmart.gov.

PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Local permits are required for all developments and improvements. In some cases, State and possibly Federal permits may be required in addition to local permits. Before making improvements to your home or property, contact the Construction Code Office at 609-494-2171 x121 to determine what permits are required. Please report any illegal construction, filling or development to the Construction Office. Elevation certificates are also kept on file in the Building Department and are available upon request.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT/DAMAGE REQUIREMENTS

The Borough’s flood regulations require that if the cost of any repair of damage, reconstruction or improvement of a structure equals or exceeds 50% of the replacement cost as determined by the tax assessor, then the entire structure must comply with FEMA’s flood regulations. This could require raising the structure so that the first floor is elevated to the base flood elevation. If you plan any major repairs or improvements to your property, contact the Construction Official or Zoning Officer for details on flood regulations, base flood elevation determinations, or for an on-site consultation.

DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE

It is most important to keep our storm water drainage systems free from obstructions so as to permit the rapid drainage of flood waters during coastal flooding conditions. Clogged drains can increase flooding conditions resulting in property damage and disruption of vehicular traffic flow. The Borough of Ship Bottom continually monitors these drainage systems to ensure they are clear of any obstruction. Any major blockages should be reported immediately to the Public Works Department at 609-494-2171. The Code of the Borough of Ship Bottom prohibits dumping of any type of litter or rubbish. Do not sweep any trash or garden clippings into storm drains and report any violators to the Department of Public Works.

SEWAGE FROM BOATS AND WASTE DISPOSAL

(Chapter 8.48 Improper Disposal of Waste)

8.48.010. To prohibit the spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater to the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) operated by the Borough of Ship Bottom so as to protect public health, safety and welfare, and to prescribe penalties for the failure to comply.

8.48.030  PROHIBITED CONDUCT

A. The spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater to the municipal separate storm sewer system operated by the Borough of Ship Bottom is prohibited. The spilling, dumping, or disposal of materials other than stormwater in such a manner as to cause the discharge of pollutants to the municipal separate storm sewer system is also prohibited.

PROPERTY PROTECTION

During the October 2012 storm considerable damage was inflicted by floating objects such as landscape timbers, wooden walkways, trash bins, and ornamental piling cut offs. When installing these objects they must be firmly anchored to prevent floatation in accordance with 2006-15 citing specific anchoring requirements. The Borough Construction office and the Ship Bottom Public Library has many publications dealing with flood related topics, such as flood proofing, elevating structures, flood maps, flood emergency, and flood insurance.

NATURAL & BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS

The Borough of Ship Bottom is located on a barrier island approximately one mile off the southern coast of New Jersey. Like most barrier islands along the eastern seaboard, the land slopes from a high elevation in the oceanside dune area of 16-20 feet above mean sea level to an elevation of 3-4 feet bayside. The Borough is prone to flooding from hurricanes, tropical storms and northeasters. The dunes are our best protection against storm damage and erosion and are also our first line of defense against the onslaught of the high incoming seas resulting from storms. Preserving these dunes is of the utmost importance. The Borough maintains strict standards for dune restoration and preservation. Residents and visitors are reminded not to remove any sediment or native vegetation, place any non-living trees, brush, shrubs or other debris or remove or destroy any sand fencing, unless it is part of an authorized dune maintenance activity. Signs are posted along the beachfront warning of fines for violations. Homeowners are encouraged to plant dune grass which helps to stabilize them. Every October the Borough provides oceanfront property owners free dune grass plantings. Additionally, area scout troops and volunteers plant dune grass up and down the island every year. Call Borough Hall at (609) 494-2171 to reserve plants. They will be delivered to your residence once they become available. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is prohibited on or over the dune areas except in designated access ways at street ends. Vehicles MUST have a beach buggy permit to drive on the beach at designated times of the year. 

New FEMA Maps and Base Flood Elevations at region2coastal.com
FEMA Maps may also be viewed at Ship Bottom Borough Hall – Construction Office – Staff is available to answer any of your questions and provide map determinations, and flood mitigation activities. The Borough also has information on additional map information for the current effective and preliminary FIRM, as well as historical flood information.
Emergency Preparedness Information is available at Office of Emergency Management and also at http://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

To compare Preliminary Maps to Current for a property,  visit FEMA MAPS at:

https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e7a7dc3ebd7f4ad39bb8e485bb64ce44

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