Sea Isle City
From Press of A.C. staff reports | Posted: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Sea Isle City residents planning to sell their homes would first need city inspectors to review their flood vents and determine whether they comply with federal floodwater-management guidelines under a proposed ordinance supported by Mayor Leonard Desiderio.
The requirement would be one way to ensure that homes have the correct number of vents to help deter flood damage and allow the city to qualify for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Community Rating System, Desiderio said Saturday after hosting a public meeting on flooding in the city.
Under the FEMA insurance program, a municipality can receive discounts in its premiums if it enacts certain policies.
Desiderio said he would like for City Council to introduce the vent-inspection ordinance next month.
Saturday’s meeting also included a representative from Smart Vents, a Gloucester County-based company that designed flood vents that automatically open when the water around a home reaches a certain level. Those retail for $200 per vent, plus installation fees, Desiderio said.
While many city homes have flood vents that are built into the outer walls, the homes do not have the minimum required under FEMA guidelines – five on one side of the house and five on another – Desiderio said.