■ 31 July 2008 | 7:46 AM
Flood alert
Re 'Some to save, others to pay with new flood zone maps,' front page, July 10:The news that about 2,000 homeowners in Virginia Beach, including many near the Oceanfront, may no longer be required to purchase flood insurance causes grave concern to me and others in the insurance industry.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, through its National Flood Insurance Program, has developed new flood zone maps. These new maps have placed some homes out of the 'special flood hazard area,' but they still remain in a 'preferred' flood zone. The change has also placed other homes that were in a 'preferred' flood zone in a more dangerous 'special flood hazard area.' The statements in the article may give many homeowners and renters in Virginia Beach a false sense of security.
The National Flood Insurance Program warns that you don't have to live in flood zone to get flooded. This year in the Midwest a disaster occurred in an area that previously had not flooded. What did those homeowners say after the waters receded? They didn't have flood insurance because they didn't think it could happen to them. I would advise homeowners and renters in the Virginia Beach area to keep their policies intact.
Frank A. Ciambrone
Virginia Beach
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jamesk79813
Yeah, it will never happen. Just ask those people in Franklin. As an insurance underwriter, I can tell you that everyone is in a flood zone, sooner or later... It all happened with a series of wacky events, mostly caused by a hurricane pushing the water up the Albemarle sound with a strong southerly wind, and intense rain in the western part of the state. This all came together in a little town that was not even part of the wind and rain. This could happen very easy in all of the rivers that feed into Hampton roads. One good hurricane or Nor'easter parked off the coast with North winds pushing water into the Elizabeth River along with heavy rains, and you can kiss those flood maps worthless.
Hound dog
No insurance agent is affected financially if people do not buy flood insurance. It is low commision and a decent amount of work. FEMA backs the program to help you. Maybe the man is writing so you are not the person on the front page of this paper crying when the water comes?
Hmmmmmmmm
I'll take your advice and buy flood insurance next to the second largest drainage ditch in the world if you will send your hound dog to pick up your order at the meat market.