Keansburg officials review floodplain management progress; program yields insurance savings

At the Aug. 21 meeting the Borough of Keansburg received an update on its Community Rating System (CRS) Floodplain Management Progress Report from Borough Engineer Robert Yuro and Floodplain Manager Ed Striedl.

Yuro said the plan was prepared in March 2015 and is updated annually. The report identifies flood-prone areas and recommends planning and mitigation goals; Yuro summarized seven goals including protecting public safety, promoting hazard-awareness, using planning tools, protecting dunes and wetlands, strengthening infrastructure resilience, encouraging sustainable development and promoting regional coordination. He said the borough maintains a list of ongoing measures and that several items are complete or in progress.

Striedl said the borough must update the report annually to maintain a high CRS ranking, which enables a 15% reduction in residential flood insurance rates for eligible policyholders. He reported the borough’s ongoing elevation projects have reduced repetitive-loss properties from a previous high to about 30–32 properties and estimated the CRS program has produced roughly $200,000 in premium savings for residents. Striedl cautioned that "not all insurance companies are complying / diligent in securing the 15% discount for policyholders" and offered that residents may contact the Code and Construction Office for assistance in securing discounts and submitting elevation certificates.

Yuro noted the borough has invested about $2.5 million in drainage upgrades in recent years and that the CRS report is available for public review at Borough Hall.