U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Ben Cardin have sent a letter calling on Federal Emergency Management Director Craig Fugate to fix Flood Insurance Rate Maps for the Town of Ocean City, Maryland and follow the federal government line established by the USACE.
FEMA’s incorrect map has caused property owners to face exorbitantly high flood insurance costs.
“We urge you to give the strongest consideration to the concerns raised by Mayor Meehan with respect to the area between 93rd Street and 123rd Street. This section was mapped incorrectly, and does not follow the line established by the Corps. As a result, these properties’ owners now unfairly face exorbitant high flood insurance costs ,” the Senators wrote.
While in Ocean City last week, Senator Mikulski discussed the matter with Ocean City’s Mayor, Rick Meehan and City Engineer Terry McGean.
In addition, they discussed the importance of beach replenishment to protecting Ocean City from erosion and coastal flooding.
As Maryland and the nation grapple with severe weather events, including Super Storm Sandy, beach replenishment programs protect jobs along with billions of dollars in public and private infrastructure.
From 1991 to 2016, the Army Corps of Engineer’s project in Ocean City has prevented over $900 million in damages to businesses and homes.
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