U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Leads Call for Review of Flood Maps

U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Leads Call for Review of Flood Maps

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Gregory Meeks released the following statement calling for a review of flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

“The preliminary flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the National Flood Insurance Program may have inaccurately designated up to 35 percent of the flood zone. Flood maps provide insurance companies an understanding of the risk associated with flood damage and are overseen through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The accuracy of flood maps helps spread flood risk among vulnerable communities in the tristate area and around the nation. Inaccurate maps may lead to increases to flood insurance premiums and long term rate hikes for policy holders.

“In January, FEMA issues the preliminary map for New York City. Shortly thereafter, the City requested an independent analysis of the maps methodologist. Based on the conclusion of this analysis, Mayor Bill de Blasio prepared the City’s appeal to FEMA citing an overestimation of 100-year floodplains. I, along with Nydia Velazquez, Joe Crowley, Grace Meng, Charles Rangel, Jerrold Nadler, Eliot Engel, Yvette Clarke, Jose Serrano, Daniel Donovan and Hakeem Jeffries are also calling on FEMA to review the City’s appeal and take into consideration the impact inaccurate maps might have on homeowners across the region.

“Representative Meeks said, “We fully support the City’s efforts to improve the accuracy of New York City’s flood maps. We must do everything in our power to make sure that the National Flood Insurance Program possesses state of the art mapping techniques, and sound policies to develop accurate flood maps that do not unnecessarily concentrate risk. I along with my colleagues in the NewYork City delegation, will continue to address the concerns of Super Storm Sandy victims with FEMA, HUD, and the Department of Homeland Security in order to bring relief to Sandy survivors."

“Representative Velazquez said, “Flawed or inaccurate flood mapping technology would result in more homeowners than necessary purchasing flood insurance and paying higherpremiums. It is critical that a more thorough and accurate analysis be performed so the National Flood Insurance Program reflects scientific realities.”

Representative Crowley said, “It is imperative that FEMA’s floodmaps are accurate and reliable, as these maps will have a serious and direct impact on the livelihood of our constituents and local businesses,” said Rep. Joe Crowley. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in supporting the City’s request and I urge FEMA to strongly consider the technical merits of the City’s appeal.”

TEXT of Letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator W. Craig Fugate:

September 15, 2015

The Honorable W. Craig Fugate

Administrator

Federal Emergency Management Agency

500 C Street S.W.

Washington, DC 20472

Dear Administrator Fugate:

We write in support of New York City’s technical appeal disputing FEMA’s Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

First and foremost, prudent risk management requires an accurate depiction of risk. Given the financial and regulatory burdens imposed upon building owners with structures in the 100-year floodplain, mapping accuracy is absolutely critical. The City’s technical analysis of FEMA’s Preliminary FIRMs shows that FEMA made an error in its modeling approach. The results indicate FEMA’s Preliminary FIRMs erroneously include approximately 26,000 structures and 170,000 residents within the high risk flood zone. As you know, federal law requires propertyowners in the 100-year floodplain with a federally-backed mortgage to purchase flood insurance. Where FEMA’s Preliminary FIRMs overestimate the extent of the 100-year floodplain, the maps will require more properties than intended topurchase flood insurance, challenging the affordability of many of the city’s coastal neighborhoods based on a flawed technical and scientific modeling approach. Further, homeowners pay flood insurance premiums based on the first floor elevation relative to FEMA’s base flood elevation (BFE), meaning that overestimated BFEs will cause policyholders to pay higher premiums.

We urge FEMA to fully consider the City’s technical analysis, which refutes existing representations of New York City’s risk. While the federal government has a responsibility to impose building regulations and appropriate insurance requirements on structures in high-risk areas, homeowners deserve the most accurate representation of their risk. FEMA should not impose artificially high premiums – potentially diminishing the National Flood Insurance Program take-up rate in high-risk and moderate-risk zones – based on inaccurate scientific analysis.

Sincerely,

Gregory W. Meeks

Member of Congress

Nydia M. Velázquez

Member of Congress

Joseph Crowley

Member of Congress

Grace Meng

Member of Congress

Charles B. Rangel

Member of Congress

Jerrold Nadler

Member of Congress

Eliot L. Engel

Member of Congress

Yvette D. Clarke

Member of Congress

José E. Serrano

Member of Congress

Dan Donovan

Member of Congress

Hakeem Jeffries

Member of Congress

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