FEMA Releases Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps for Rockland County Hudson River Communities

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) briefed community leaders this morning at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona on new Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps (ABFEs) for Hudson River communities in Rockland County.

The ABFEs reflect the best available data from the most recent analysis of coastal flood hazards along the Hudson River.  The ABFEs are based on sound science and engineering, and are derived from more recent data and improved study methodologies, compared to the data and analyses used to prepare the existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

“Superstorm Sandy was one of the most devastating storms in Rockland’s history. Stony Point, Piermont, Nyack and Haverstraw were particularly hard hit by the unprecedented Hudson River tidal surge, and numerous homes were destroyed,” said County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef.  “The information provided by FEMA will be of enormous help in protecting those homes located near the Hudson River, where BFEs have increased and/or new Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the ABFE maps. These maps will clearly be helpful to community members in making decisions to reduce their flood risk.”

Visit www.Region2Coastal.com for more information on the ABFEs.