Hurricane Ida - FEMA Information

This past week we have visited your local community.  I want to thank you for the warm welcome and taking the time to speak with us. If we were unable to speak with you directly, attached to this email is a questionnaire (GTA-Assessment Questionnaire). If you have time or your community has unmet needs, please take a moment to answer and return the document. Below and attached is also some helpful information as you navigate through the recovery process of Hurricane Ida. FEMA is here to assist you in navigating through this process of helping your community and to provide technical assistance as needed. Please feel free to reach out and let us know how we may best support you.

As discussed, there are some programs and opportunities to help manage this disaster and provide possible new avenues of funding for your community. Section 1206 of the 2018 Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide communities with the resources needed to effectively administer and enforce building code and floodplain management ordinances following a presidential disaster declaration. FEMA is implementing this provision through the Public Assistance Program’s Building Code and Floodplain Management Administration and Enforcement Policy (FP 204-079-01). This policy aims to increase the overall speed of recovery and enhance compliance with state and locally adopted building codes and floodplain management ordinances by providing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments additional resources to carry out post-disaster activities.

Local floodplain management regulations and codes contain minimum NFIP requirements that apply not only to new structures, but also to existing structures which are “substantially improved (SI)” or “substantially damaged (SD).” This Desk Reference provides practical guidance and suggested procedures to implement the NFIP requirements for SI/SD.  Additionally, you can find Answers to Questions About Substantially Improved and Substantially Damaged Buildings in FEMA-213.

FEMA developed the SDE tool to assist state and local officials in estimating Substantial Damage for residential and non-residential structures in accordance with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as adopted by the communities. The tool can be used to assess flood, wind, wildfire, seismic, and other forms of damage.

NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Flood Engineering serves as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) State Coordinating Office and provides technical and compliance assistance for floodplain management and ordinance adoption to communities. 

For assistance or questions contact the Bureau of Flood Engineering Technical Assistance at:

Kenya Lovill, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or Rebecca Jones, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or (609) 292-2296

Additional information below:

https://www.nj.gov/dep/floodcontrol/index.htm

https://www.fema.gov/floodplain-management

• We have attached New Jersey’s Substantial Damage Management Plan Template for your reference.  In this document you will find guidance and tools to assist with Substantial Damage determinations and enforcement.