Schoenberger Calls Upon FEMA to Expedite the Release of Advisory Base Flood Elevations for Rockland County

PRESS RELEASE FROM LEG. ILAN SCHOENBERGER

A resolution sponsored by Rockland County Legislator Ilan Schoenberger will call upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite the release of Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFEs) for Rockland County that will provide up-to-date information that Rockland property owners and municipalities can utilize to support and formulate reconstruction plans and efforts in light of the devastation caused along the Hudson shoreline by Hurricane Sandy.

ABFEs are the recommended elevation of the lowest floor of a building calculated to reduce the risk of floodwaters in the event of catastrophic events. FEMA has issued ABFE data for Westchester County, NYC and several counties in New Jersey, including neighboring Bergen County.  ABFE data for Rockland was not issued.

“When county personnel in Fire and Emergency Services and the Planning Department learned that this information was developed for neighboring regions,  they acted swiftly to ensure that current elevations would be established for Rockland, as well,” said Legislator Schoenberger.  “I credit them for their professionalism,
knowledge and swift action. However, FEMA indicated that the data would not be available for up to two months. My resolution will call upon FEMA to expedite ABFEs for Rockland County. Our river communities suffered damage that was no less devastating than what occurred in Westchester or Bergen Counties. The storm hit both sides of the river, equally.  Why should Rockland have to wait two more months?  It is imperative that Rockland’s property owners and municipalities along the Hudson have the most up-to-date information so each can make informed decisions on recommended flood management options before reconstruction is completed.”

The resolution will appear on the agenda of the April 9, 2013 meeting of the Legislature’s Planning and Public Works Committee.  To obtain further information on this or any other committee agenda, please visit www.rocklandgov.com, click on County Legislature and follow link to Committee Agendas.  Committee meetings are open to the public.

  fema, hurricane sandy recovery