Schumer wants Valley Stream flood maps redone

In what could be a victory for thousands of Valley Stream homeowners, Sen. Charles Schumer wants the Federal Emergency Management Agency to throw out sections of Nassau County flood maps and create new ones.

In the proposed Flood Insurance Reauthorization and Modernization Act of 2011, Schumer is seeking a provision that would require FEMA to take a second look at its flood maps in Valley Stream and other areas of the Town of Hempstead in the Jamaica Bay flood zone. 

“This will be a historic win for common sense and Long Islanders who were imprecisely thrown into flood maps using data from another county, leaving them with thousands of dollars in new — and unnecessary — bills,” Schumer said. “FEMA will have to go back to the drawing board to create fair and accurate maps that reflect the best possible science and accurately assess the flood risks Long Island homeowners face. I will make it a top priority to see that this much-needed legislation is signed into law as soon as possible.”

In 2009, thousands of homes in the community, particularly in Gibson and Mill Brook, were added to the high-risk flood zone. Residents with mortgages were hit with four-figure annual insurance premiums.

“It’s awesome, but I won’t believe anything until it actually happens,” said Gibson resident Carol Crupi, a leader in the fight to get Valley Stream out of the flood zone. “It’s good news, but it’s not a done deal yet.”

Crupi said last week that she received a call from Schumer’s office to let her know about his proposed legislation. She recalled saying that time is of the essence, because reduced flood insurance rates for residents expire at the end of 2012. 

Marc Tenzer, president of the Mill Brook Civic Association, said he hopes the legislation passes for the sake of the 811 homeowners in his community who are affected by the new maps. “I think it’s a step in the right direction, and I hope it comes through,” Tenzer said. “We knew deep down in our hearts that we’re not in the flood area.”