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Flooding is a coast to coast threat to the United States and its territories in all months of the year. National Flood Safety Awareness Week is intended to highlight some of the many ways floods can occur, the hazards associated with floods, and what you can do to save life and property.
The most flood prone intersections of Palmyra are:
- Temple Blvd & Garfield Ave.
- 5th St. & Rt. 73 North
- Leconey Circle at Firth Lane
- Spring Garden St. & Rt. 73 North
How to Defend Against Floods
Never attempt to drive through water on a road. Water can be deeper than it appears, and water levels can rise very quickly.
Know the elevation of your property in relation to nearby streams and other waterways;
Make advance plans of what you will do and where you will go in a flash flood emergency;
Listen to area radio and television stations and NOAA weather radio;
Be prepared to move out of danger’s way; if you are on the road, watch for flooding at highway dips, bridges, and low areas;
Stay away from natural streambeds, arroyos, and other drainage channels during and after rainstorms;
Watch for signs of distant heavy rainfall;
Keep children away from floodwaters near culverts and storm drains;
Protect property with sand bags, relocate or elevate items of personal or economic value;
Disconnect and/or move equipment, appliances;
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Please monitor flood conditions and avoid these areas and find alternative routes of travel.
If you have any questions regarding road conditions in the Borough you can call Tom Ryan, Road Superintendent, 856-829-8215.
The Borough has a strong commitment to the public safety of its citizens. Mayor Scheffler and Borough Council are also helping the community with a way to reduce the cost of flood insurance by implementing the Community Rating System (CRS). CRS is a program where flood insurance policy holders receive a 5% to 45% discount on their annual premiums, depending on their flood zone and the community’s CRS classification.
Almost every town touched by water faces a threat of flooding however, so more than others. In 1968 Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in response to the rising cost of tax payer funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods. Therefore, almost every community in the United States has joined NFIP. For towns to join, the local governments agree to regulate new development in their floodplain in accordance with NFIP minimum criteria. In return, the NFIP provides federally backed flood insurance for properties in those communities. Today, there are over 20,000 communities participating in the NFIP and there are over 5 million policies in effect.
The CRS is a part of the NFIP. The CRS reduces flood insurance premiums to reflect what a community does above and beyond the NFIP’s minimum criteria for floodplain development. The objective of the CRS is to reward communities for what they are doing, as well as to provide incentive to undertake new flood protection activities.
CRS community participation is VOLUNTARY. To date, 1,080 communities have joined nationwide. In New Jersey, there are 44 communities that have joined and in Burlington County, Palmyra will only be the second.
The Borough has begun the application process by submitting our application to FEMA. March 10th the Borough will have a “verification visit” by FEMA; our programs will be reviewed and scored according to formulas set by FEMA. Our total score will determine the Boroughs CRS classification.
Classifications are from 10 (no discount) to 1 (45% discount). Properties outside the “Special Flood Hazard Area” (SFHA) will receive a 5% or 10% discount, depending on the community’s classification. Policies on non-complaint structures and “preferred risk” policies do not receive a discount.
Why is the Borough joining CRS important? Money stays in the community instead of being spent on insurance premiums. The activities credited by the CRS provide direct benefits to the community, including enhanced public safety, reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure, and protection of the environment.
In 2007 the Borough of Palmyra had 228 flood insurance policies in effect. 177 policies were issued in the SFHA. The average premium was $800. The Borough will receive a 5% or 10% discount. The average savings for a resident will be between $40 and $80 per year. As the Borough’s program grows, so will the Borough’s discounts.