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Overcast Mill Brook to join flood zone
Posted
That means residents will have to make a potentially costly decision as to whether or not they will buy flood insurance.
The Mill Brook Civic Association hosted representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on March 26 at Forest Road School. They outlined the changes for more than 60 people in attendance and answered any questions.
Marc Tenzer, president of the civic association, said he decided to host FEMA for the semiannual meeting because all 811 homes in the community will be impacted by the flood map changes. "It affects everyone in the neighborhood," he said. "I thought it was very informative -- a lot of good information given out."
Paul Weberg, a senior engineer for FEMA, explained that the changes were made because of a mandate from Congress. He said FEMA spent $3 million on Long Island alone to come up with the new maps and used the latest topographical information available.
"These maps are showing the true hazard of what lies in your association area," Weberg said. "We're trying to show that areas could get flooded out."
He noted that there have been some hurricanes in the past that have produced major storm surges, though the region has been lucky in recent decades. "Within the last 20 years," he said, "there really has not been that much on Long Island with the exception of the '92 noreaster."
As of Sept. 11, all homeowners who have a mortgage will be required to get flood insurance, Weberg explained. Anyone who purchases it beforehand will be able to lock in to a cheaper rate.
Rich Einhorn, a senior insurance specialist, reviewed the options for homeowners. He said the maximum policy a resident can get is for $250,000 and would cover all structural damage. He said items such as the furnace, water heater or electrical panel would be covered but furniture and electronics would not.
The cost for the first year of a $250,000 policy, he said, would be $388. Flood insurance for each subsequent year would be $1,084. However, Einhorn explained, if a homeowner does not purchase it before the Sept. 11 deadline, the annual price would be nearly double.
Einhorn noted that the difference in price is substantial -- $996 a year on a $250,000 policy and $274 a year on $100,000. But homeowners must be "grandfathered in" to their current zone by Sept. 11. He said it doesn't pay to seek other prices. "Don't waste your time shopping around," Einhorn said. "FEMA sets the rates."
Steve Epstein, a Mill Brook resident for 30 years, said he is concerned about damage to his basement if a flood were to occur. He said the Mill Brook area was in the flood zone in the past, then it was taken off.
Epstein must buy flood insurance because he has a mortgage so he plans to do so before the rates go up. "If you buy now, you can save later," he said.
Einhorn noted that flood insurance is transferable and works as a selling feature, as long as it is a continuous policy. "It goes to the house," he said. "It doesn't matter who owns it."
Those who do not have a mortgage or a loan have the option of buying flood insurance, but are not mandated to. If a homeowner is mandated to buy it but neglects to do so, the lender can purchase the insurance for them. Einhorn said it would not be unrealistic for the lender to charge $1,000 in administrative fees for buying the policy, in addition to the cost of the insurance.
A flood, he said, is described as water going over typically dry land. It must affect at least two properties or two acres of the same property. If the water table rises above the ground, that is not considered a flood and insurance would not cover those damages.
Tenzer said that information about the changes will soon be available on the civic association's Web site, www.millbrookcivic. org. He encourages all homeowners to become as informed as possible about the new flood maps.
"It's an unfortunate situation that is going to cost us a lot of money," he said. "It's going to affect everyone whether they know it or not."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
The Mill Brook Civic Association hosted representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency on March 26 at Forest Road School. They outlined the changes for more than 60 people in attendance and answered any questions.
Marc Tenzer, president of the civic association, said he decided to host FEMA for the semiannual meeting because all 811 homes in the community will be impacted by the flood map changes. "It affects everyone in the neighborhood," he said. "I thought it was very informative -- a lot of good information given out."
Paul Weberg, a senior engineer for FEMA, explained that the changes were made because of a mandate from Congress. He said FEMA spent $3 million on Long Island alone to come up with the new maps and used the latest topographical information available.
"These maps are showing the true hazard of what lies in your association area," Weberg said. "We're trying to show that areas could get flooded out."
As of Sept. 11, all homeowners who have a mortgage will be required to get flood insurance, Weberg explained. Anyone who purchases it beforehand will be able to lock in to a cheaper rate.
Rich Einhorn, a senior insurance specialist, reviewed the options for homeowners. He said the maximum policy a resident can get is for $250,000 and would cover all structural damage. He said items such as the furnace, water heater or electrical panel would be covered but furniture and electronics would not.
The cost for the first year of a $250,000 policy, he said, would be $388. Flood insurance for each subsequent year would be $1,084. However, Einhorn explained, if a homeowner does not purchase it before the Sept. 11 deadline, the annual price would be nearly double.
Einhorn noted that the difference in price is substantial -- $996 a year on a $250,000 policy and $274 a year on $100,000. But homeowners must be "grandfathered in" to their current zone by Sept. 11. He said it doesn't pay to seek other prices. "Don't waste your time shopping around," Einhorn said. "FEMA sets the rates."
Steve Epstein, a Mill Brook resident for 30 years, said he is concerned about damage to his basement if a flood were to occur. He said the Mill Brook area was in the flood zone in the past, then it was taken off.
Epstein must buy flood insurance because he has a mortgage so he plans to do so before the rates go up. "If you buy now, you can save later," he said.
Einhorn noted that flood insurance is transferable and works as a selling feature, as long as it is a continuous policy. "It goes to the house," he said. "It doesn't matter who owns it."
Those who do not have a mortgage or a loan have the option of buying flood insurance, but are not mandated to. If a homeowner is mandated to buy it but neglects to do so, the lender can purchase the insurance for them. Einhorn said it would not be unrealistic for the lender to charge $1,000 in administrative fees for buying the policy, in addition to the cost of the insurance.
A flood, he said, is described as water going over typically dry land. It must affect at least two properties or two acres of the same property. If the water table rises above the ground, that is not considered a flood and insurance would not cover those damages.
Tenzer said that information about the changes will soon be available on the civic association's Web site, www.millbrookcivic. org. He encourages all homeowners to become as informed as possible about the new flood maps.
"It's an unfortunate situation that is going to cost us a lot of money," he said. "It's going to affect everyone whether they know it or not."
Comments about this story? AHackmack@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
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