Flooding in our city is caused by hurricanes, tropical storms, coastal storms, and by occasional extremely high tides, and heavy rainstorms.
The Back Bay areas flood more frequently than do the ocean areas.
Floodwaters can fill the streets with water from six inches up to two feet in some low-lying areas. Drainage in many areas will not occur rapidly when the tide is high.
When the tide begins to recede, the storm drains, which mainly drain into the Back Bay, will remove the water.
The public works department has a storm drainage maintenance program, which keeps the lines, and basins clean.
Floods are dangerous. Even though they appear to move slowly (three feet per second), a flood two feet deep can knock a man off his feet and float a car.
There also may be submerged hazards, which can be harmful.
Your property may be high enough so that was not flooded in the past or during the recent flooding. However, it can still be flooded in the future because the next flood could be worse.
If you are in the floodplain, the odds are that someday your property will be damaged. The following information will give you ideas of what you can do to protect yourself.
Municipal Flood Services
The first thing you should do is checking your flood hazard. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Ventnor Branch of the Atlantic County Library.
You can also visit the building department on the first floor of Ventnor City Hall to see if you are in a mapped floodplain.
If so, they can give you more information, or they will refer you to the CRS Coordinator who can give you information of past flooding in the area and insurance requirements. If requested, representatives of the Building Department, Public Works, and the Office of Emergency Management will visit a property to review its flooding problem and explain ways to stop or prevent flood damage. Call the Emergency Management Office at 823-7920 for an appointment. The services are FREE.
If you are in a floodplain or have experienced a flood, drainage, or sewer backup problem, check out these sources for assistance.
What you can do:
Several of the City’s efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance.
Here is how you can help:
Do not dump or throw anything into the gutters or storm drains. Even grass clippings and small branches can accumulate and plug the drainage pipes. A plugged pipe cannot carry water; and when it rains, the water has to go somewhere. Dumping is prohibited by municipal ordinance.
Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.
If you see anyone dumping anything into the drainage areas call the Ventnor Public Works Department at 823-7935.
Always check with the Building Department before you build on, alter, re-grade, or fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure that all planned projects do not cause problems for other properties.
If you see building, renovations, or filling without a city permit sign posted, contact the Building Department at 823-7909.
Flood proofing
There are several ways to protect a building from flood damage. They range from diking the area around the property, waterproofing walls, and the most effective is raising the house above flood levels. You can even move your property in your home to a higher location such as the second floor or an attic. The Ventnor Branch of the Atlantic County Library has several books on this subject that you may borrow. You can also contact the Building & Housing Department or the Office of Emergency Management for assistance at 823-7920.
Flood Insurance
If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent.
Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from flooding. However, because Ventnor participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you may purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal Government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded.
Some people have purchased flood insurance because the bank required it when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan.
Usually these policies just cover the building structure and not the contents. During this kind of flooding that occurs in Ventnor, there is usually more damage to furniture and contents than there is to the structure. There is a 30-day waiting period before a flood insurance policy can become effective. In most instances, the insurance producer who writes your policy can provide you with the date that your policy should go into effect.
Flood Warning System
When the possibility of flooding may exist, the National Weather Service Office, Philadelphia/Mt. Holly issues flood watches and warnings. All regional and local TV, radio and other media sources carry the warnings. The National Weather Service also disseminates this information on NOAA Weather Radio in this area on 162.400 MHz.
This service has an alert warning system that can be received by a special weather monitor receiver. The Ventnor Police/Fire Communications Center in city hall has a weather alert receiver installed and will alert the Emergency Management personnel of possible flooding or potentially severe weather 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Office of Emergency Management also receives weather information through the N.J. State Police NCIC/SCICComputer/Teletype System and through the Atlantic County Office of Emergency Management.
The warning system also includes voice over announcements on all cable TV channels on the Comcast Cable TV System. The new Downbeach Channel (2) on Comcast Cable TV now includes emergency information as any situation warrants.
Public notifications will also be made by police vehicles utilizing their public address system traveling through the streets.
Flood Safety
Here are some flood safety tips may be helpful during the next flood.
Do not walk through flowing water.
Do not drive through a flooded area.
Stay away from power lines and electric wires.
Turn off your home electricity when you leave home.
Watch for animals.
Look before you step.
Be alert for gas leaks.
Clean everything that is wet.
Take good care of yourself.
Substantial Improvement Requirements
The National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market value, then the building must meet the same Construction requirements as a new building. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards (e.g., a residence damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s value before it was damaged must be elevated above the base flood elevation). The Ventnor City Code Chapter 126, Flood Hazard Areas, covers all the requirements. The Ventnor Building & Housing Department is responsible for enforcing the regulations and will assist anyone by calling 823-7909.
Natural & Beneficial Areas
Under natural conditions, a flood causes little or no damage to natural areas. The marsh areas in Ventnor and the beach areas with its dune protection system help reduce flood damage by allowing floodwaters to spread over a large area. This reduces flood velocities and provides flood storage to reduce the flow. Natural floodplains reduce wind and wave impacts and their vegetation stabilizes soils during flooding. It is our job to help preserve natural areas in the floodplain. The State of New Jersey already has laws to protect the marsh areas and the sand dunes. Plans are already in the works for a long-term shore protection plan.
Support programs that protect these natural and beneficial areas.
Rev 6/15/06
For further assistance contact:
William J. Melfi
Emergency Management Coordinator
609-823-7920 Office
609 823-6406 Fax
Email: ventnorcityoem@comcast.net
Copyright 1999, William J. Melfi |