FEMA Review Prompts Strict Toms River Flood Certification Rules

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Toms River is increasing its requirements for flood elevation certificates after a review by the Federal Emergency Management Agency led to a warning about the township's status in the Community Rating System.

A statement from Township Engineer Robert J. Chankalian said FEMA, in a routine audit of elevation certificates for home in the flood plain, scrutinized the certificates much more closely, "rejecting any elevation certificate with the simplest of typos such in the community ID number, panel number, building diagram number, missing flood vent certification, missing picture of flood vents, etc."

The elevation certificates have been required of homes that have been rebuilt or new construction since Superstorm Sandy devastated the area eight years ago. The documentation certifies efforts have been make to reduce the risk of property damage from another historic flooding event.

Township properties receive a 15 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums because of Toms River's participation in the FEMA Community Rating System. To be eligible in CRS, the township has to show that 90 percent of every elevation certificate is correct.

"While these types of errors may be seem negligible, unfortunately they will put the township in jeopardy of losing its CRS status, and as such, must be reviewed more carefully moving forward," Chankalian wrote.

Now, for homes in the flood plain applying for a final engineering inspection for a certificate of occupancy, the following items will be required: a copy of the as‐built survey, and, two copies of a fully signed and sealed elevation certificate.

He said the engineering department will not sign off on the issuance of a certificate of occupancy if the elevation certificate is not completely filled out, and correct.

"If everything has been constructed as per the approved plan, and correctly documented on the elevation certificate and survey, there should be no delay in time," he said. "However, if there is an issue with the elevation certificate, the CO will not be issued."

"While I do understand any delay is unfortunate, the township cannot jeopardize the $1.5 million a year savings that the residents enjoy based on FEMA’s new review policy," Chankalian wrote.

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