In 1994,
Gloucester County earned Class 9 status in the Community Rating
System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP),
administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The County achieved CRS status by implementing Community
activities to encourage the reduction of flood damage beyond the
minimum NFIP requirements. Some of these activities include
providing community educational outreach materials on flooding,
flood prevention and flood damage; providing informative materials
on flooding in the public library; requiring the elevation of new
construction in the county one foot above the required elevation
as shown on FEMA's Federal Insurance Rate Maps; and other
activities.
Contact Gloucester County Building Official at 693-2744 for more
information on the Community Rating System and Gloucester's
participation. Since Gloucester County is a CRS community
implementing these additional flood protection activities and
requirements, Gloucester landowners who pay flood insurance
receive a 5% discount on their premiums. It is very
important to know whether or not your property, or any portion of
your property, is located within a flood zone. Serious
damage may be incurred by homes and other structures that are
constructed within a flood zone. Hence, development within
flood zones and any low ground prone to flooding should be
avoided.
Flood Zone
determinations of properties within Gloucester County can be made
by using the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRMs) located at the Gloucester Codes Compliance Office at 6582
Main Street, Gloucester Courthouse. To determine the flood zone of a property, you must
know the tax map and parcel number of the property, or the name of
the property owner and the general location of the property.
Tax map and parcel numbers may be obtained from the Commissioner
of Revenue's Office. FIRMs are also available online at
www.fema.gov
will
be required. A professional surveyor must determine the
elevation of the lowest floor of the proposed structure and
complete the