Activity 320 – Mapping Information:
The City of Cape May and representatives from the Floodplain Management Office can provide information regarding flood map inquiries, including but not limited to information on: flood depths, BFE, LIMWA, FIRM, SFHA, V zone, historic flooding, mean high water, sea level rise, projected sea level rise, category 1 hurricane storm surge, projected special flood hazard area in 2050 and marsh migration. For additional information, please contact Paul Dietrich at pdietrich@capemaycity.com, (609) 884-9537.
Activity 360 – Flood Protection Assistance:
The City of Cape May is a participant of the FMA (Flood Mitigation Assistance) program and has submitted an LOI (Letter of Intent) to participate in the program with the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management.
Additionally, the City of Cape May provides information on flood proofing, grant funding sources for home elevations and flood proofing, ICC (Increase Cost of Compliance) and flood insurance – for additional information including sample policy forms for download, please scroll all the way down to the bottom of this page.
Links
FEMA Flood Map Service Center - Find your base Flood Elevation
What’s My BFE
www.fema.gov/plan-prepare-mitigate
www.floodsmart.gov
Sustainable Jersey Grants and Resources
Local Rain Gauges & Weather Data
Tidal Flood Talks
Flood Hazard & Evacuation Maps
Coastal Evacuation Route Map
Cape May County Emergency Shelter Locations
Cape May County Tidal Flooding Awareness
FLOOD WARNING NOTIFICATIONS - CLICK HERE
Flood Protection/Management Plan
FEMA Documents
NFIP-CRS Factsheet
FAQ for Historic Structures
What to do Post-Flood
Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act-Overview CLICK HERE
Elevation Certificates-Who needs them and why
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions
Flood Insurance
Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding.
Only flood insurance policies cover physical damage to your property and possessions caused by flooding. This damage is not covered under homeowners insurance. NFIP offers up to $250,000 in flood insurance coverage for building property (your home) and up to $100,000 for personal contents (your belongings). Although these coverages fall under one policy, the coverages may be purchased separately so that renters can obtain only personal contents coverage if desired. If you are a homeowner wishing to protect your home and belongings, be sure to request both coverages.
For specific information about what is covered and not covered, visit the National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage.
The risk is real.
It doesn’t take a major body of water or a significant storm to cause flooding. A flood can occur because of a slow-moving rainstorm, snowmelt, land development runoff, and more. High-risk areas have a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. While moderate-to-low risk areas have a reduced risk of flooding, these areas are responsible for nearly 25% of flood insurance claims.
According to FloodSmart.gov, just one inch of water in a 1,000-square-foot home can cause over $10,000 in damage. That cost grows with the severity of the flood:
Estimated Cost of Flooding in a 1,000-Square-Foot Home | |
Four-foot flood | $39,950 |
One-foot flood | $27,150 |
Six-inch flood | $20,150 |
One-inch flood | $10,600 |
When available, federal disaster assistance can cost more than a flood insurance policy.
Federal disaster assistance is not insurance. It is only available when a disaster is federally declared, and usually comes in the form of a loan with interest. A flood insurance policy is often the less expensive option.
The best time to buy flood insurance in New Jersey is now.
There is typically a 30-day waiting period before a policy takes effect after purchase.
Real Time Cape May Harbor Tide Height data
Dwelling policy form
General property policy form
Residential condominium building association policy form
