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Hugh Merkle Team - COMPASS RE

Avalon Holds Public Session On Flood Insurance

Posted August 26th 2024

The Borough of Avalon hosted an informative session on flood insurance on Aug. 15. The tone for the meeting was set by the publication of a statement by Mayor John McCorristin at the start: “Avalon’s culture includes the protection of lives and property through flood mitigation efforts. The CRS [Community Rating System] program validates our continual commitment to coastal resiliency and our relentless pursuit of opportunities to lessen the impacts of storms and other natural threats.”

More than 50 property owners attended the session specifically intended to educate residents and homeowners about the intricacies of the National Flood Insurance Program as administered by FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Hosted by Council vice president Barbara Juzaitis and Borough Administrator Scott Wahl, the session featured presentations by experts from the insurance and flood mitigation industries.

A recurring reminder of the meeting was the desire to keep the community resilient following any flooding incidents. The presenters also explained, in detail, some of the numbers residents may often hear pertaining to Avalon’s efforts to keep the community prepared. FEMA ratings of communities are based on preparation, education, and ability to be resilient. Avalon currently has a Class 3 FEMA rating. That rating is important to residents because it means that Avalon property owners are eligible for a 35% discount on their annual premium. It’s estimated that Avalon’s rating and resulting discount translates to about $1.6 million a year in premium savings for residents. That’s a substantial savings.

That rating is obviously the result of years and even decades of work and planning by Avalon’s government. The savings are substantial. This might help put into perspective why the savings in Avalon are so great: There are 28,500 communities in FEMA’s CRS rating program. Avalon is one of only 12 communities nationwide that have achieved the status of a Class 3 rating. That’s 12 out of more than 28,000! Maintaining that rating becomes more difficult each year.

Pretty impressive, and it illustrates the amount of work that Avalon has invested to achieve that level of recognition and success. Events like that on Aug. 15, are just a very small illustration of the constant effort by the Borough to maintain its rating.

Property owners had the opportunity to ask experts questions pertaining to their own properties and policies. For those unable to attend this meeting, the Borough has archived a video copy of the meeting that can be viewed at your discretion on the Borough’s website.

Photo caption: Flooding along Ocean Drive during a noreastern in November 2009.

The Hugh Merkle Team - COMPASS Office: 609-368-9100
374 96th Street, Stone Harbor
info@HughMerkle.com
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