Avalon Holds Meeting On Flood Insurance

Posted August 25th 2025

Avalon has been recognized for its flood-prevention measures, but that doesn’t mean property owners should forgo flood insurance.

That was the topic of a meeting sponsored by the New Jersey Coastal Coalition hosted by Avalon’s Borough Council and business administrator Scott Wahl on Aug. 19.

Councilman Samuel Wierman discussed the town’s efforts to combat flooding. An informative presentation was given by Chrissy Tracy, vice president of business development at the Heist Insurance Agency. Another insightful presentation was given by E. Tyler Adron, the executive vice president at floodproofing.com.

Property owners at the meeting were invited to have their elevation certificates and insurance policies reviewed by the experts.

“The rates are regulated,” Adron noted. “Whether you go to one agent or another across the country, the rates should technically be the same. But it falls on the agent’s shoulders to rate the property. So, I always say to not shop for flood insurance rates, but for flood insurance knowledge.”

Avalon is just one of two towns in Cape May County to achieve a Class 3 certification rating in the FEMA Community Service Rating program. The system provides discounts on flood insurance premiums in communities that make strong efforts toward flood prevention. Avalon property owners currently receive a 35% discount on flood insurance premiums.

Said Wierman: “It’s everything from providing knowledge through meetings, signage around town, alert systems when there is a flooding event coming, to the physical stuff. It’s building the dune system, having strict building codes, and having flood-proofing. We do as much as we can because we want to get as many points as we can in the CRS system to get to that Class 3 rating.”

For more information, contact floodplain administrator Ed Dean at 609-967-8200.

Photo caption: Speakers from the Flood Insurance Community Meeting (from left): Avalon councilman Sam Wierman, Chrissy Tracy of Heist Insurance Agency, and E. Tyler Adron of floodproofing.com.