Recovery - NJ

huffingtonpost.com - June 9, 2013 - Katie Zezima and Meghan Barr

MANTOLOKING, NJ - MAY 15: A beach front home damaged by Superstorm Sandy is tagged to be torn down and hauled off, May 15, 2013 in Manotoloking, New Jersey. Mantoloking officials say that at least 50 homes are scheduled to be demolished in the up coming weeks. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

George Kasimos has almost finished repairing flood damage to his waterfront home, but his Superstorm Sandy nightmare is far from over. ...

That's because the federal government's newly released advisory flood maps have put his Toms River home in the most vulnerable area – the "velocity zone." If that sticks, he'd have to jack his house up 14 feet on stilts at a cost of $150,000 or face up to $30,000 a year in flood insurance premiums....

For many, it's an impossible choice. They can't afford to do either. And many unanswered questions have left residents paralyzed with indecision....

mycentraljersey.com - by Ken Serrano - May 31, 2013

FEMA will post searchable versions on its website soon

Sandy victims left hanging by what many have termed FEMA’s confusing and unfair preliminary flood maps will likely have final answers in the coming weeks.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to post searchable maps on its website for homeowners to use to determine their true flood zone and how high they may need to raise their homes to qualify for the best flood insurance rates. Barring any successful challenges, that information will eventually set flood insurance premiums, which won’t go into effect for another 18 months.

FEMA’s working flood maps will be rolled out to coastal counties one by one in mid- to late-June, said Bill McDonnell, the mitigation branch director for FEMA’s Region II, which covers New Jersey.

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