By JOSEPH KELLARD
Father and son Mickey and Mike Hastava of the Picone-Hastava Insurance Agency on Long Beach Road report that several homeowners from Barnum Isle, Harbor Isle and Island Park have been calling about policies since the Federal Emergency Management Agency released redrawn Nassau County flood plain maps on July 7 that will affect nearly 30,000 more homeowners, requiring them to spend hundreds or even thousands more dollars on flood insurance.
"Everyone is calling all over the place," Mike Hastava said.
The Hastavas said that while homeowners on several streets in all three sections of Island Park will need insurance under the new plan, Barnum Isle has the highest percentage, including those who live on Saratoga Boulevard and Baker Court, the latter located near the restaurants and bars on the southern half of the island.
"I didn't read the maps yet, but I'm very concerned about the rates now," said John Cestero, a resident of the Yacht Club condominium complex on Baker Court. "I just had a renewal, but next year I don't know what to expect."
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program requires homeowners in flood zones to have flood insurance, which is underwritten by the federal government. NFIP rates are based on such factors as a home's elevation and whether it has a basement. The updated maps are based on more precise geographic and elevation measurements, according to FEMA, and the expanded zones are deemed at risk of flooding by coastal waters during heavy rain storms.
Most of Island Park is between 8 and 10 feet above sea level, according to Mayor Jim Ruzicka.
Homeowners will be able to appeal FEMA's map plan, which the agency expects to finalize by next July. But residents are being warned that the plan may be finalized as soon as November, and are being encouraged to buy insurance now, while they can still get it at rates averaging $300 to $500.
"I have people on the same block with two different rates, where one end of the block is low and the other end is three or four feet higher," said Mickey Hastava.
For more on the current and proposed flood maps, go to Nassau County's Web site, nassaucountyny.gov, and click on "FEMA Flood Map Information" at the bottom of the home page, or call Nassau County Emergency Management Commissioner James Callahan at (516) 573-0636.
Comments about this story? JKellard@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
