 | Welcome to the Flood Zone is a nationally distributed resource for those interested in flood zone issues, land surveying, real estate, history, and educational opportunities. This newsletter has been proudly featured by the Association of State Floodplain Managers, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, and the Maine and New Hampshire Floodplain Management Programs. Please feel free to share with your friends and colleagues! If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, simply click the unsubscribe link in the footer of this message. | In this Issue of Welcome to the Flood Zone: Message from Jim
Maine NFIP Corner: "Disaster Assistance Available"
Real Estate Corner: "2024 Realtor.com Housing and Climate Risk Report"
In the News: "Breaking News: New Rules on Property Condition Disclosure and Flood Risk Go Into Effect Today" and "New Jersey Imposes New Flood Hazard Disclosure Requirements on Sellers and Landlords"
Resources: "2024 River Flow Advisory Commission Report" and "Assessing Coastal Flood Risk with Maine Communities" Banner Image: Damage from a flash flood in San Diego, California, on January 22, 2024. Photo credit: D Eddy, SDFD. Image from "USA – Floods in California Prompt Dramatic Rescues in San Diego", Floodlist, January 23, 2024. | Message from Jim Check out Episode 1 of the “Welcome to the Flood Zone” podcast which is a brief introduction to the program. Future podcasts will often include a guest specific to an area of the program. Guests will include lenders, insurance agents and insurers, real estate licensees, engineers, flood determination vendors, scientists, or other flood specific professionals. Hope you will join us! Click here to listen to "Welcome to the Flood Zone: Episode One" - on Spotify | Disaster Assistance Available On March 20, 2024, President Biden awarded Maine’s eight coastal counties a Public Assistance Disaster Declaration for the storm events of January 9-13, 2024. This designation is for State Agencies, Tribal Nations, Municipalities and Territories, and certain Private Non-Profits conducting critical services in the Counties of Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York. This disaster has been declared as DR-4764. There are two separate deadlines associated with the two separate programs granted through the declaration: January Storm Assistance Registration Deadlines:
April 19, 2024 (Public Assistance)
May 20, 2024 (Individual Assistance) Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits will be available to people who lost their job or business due to January 9 and 13 storms. Applications will be open March 25 through April 22 to assist business owners, regular workers, seasonal or migrant workers, and self-employed individuals who lost their job, job offer, or had their work hours reduced or interrupted due to the January 9 and 13 storms in Cumberland, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Waldo, Washington, and York Counties. Click here to learn more. | Real Estate Corner 2024 Realtor.com Housing and Climate Risk Report By: Jiayi Xu, Sabrina Speianu, and Danielle Hale, Realtor.com, March 13, 2024 In 2024, almost 44.8% of homes in the United States, with a total value nearing $22.0 trillion, confront at least one type of severe or extreme climate risk from either flood, wind, wildfire, heat, or air quality. Specifically, 40.4% of homes, valued at $19.7 trillion, are at severe or extreme risk when it comes to heat, wind and air quality. Click here to read the full report. | In the News New York and New Jersey are next on the list for states including more detailed flood risk disclosure in their real estate laws: | Breaking News: New Rules on Property Condition Disclosure and Flood Risk Go Into Effect Today By: Jennifer Andrus, New York State Bar Association, March 20, 2024 In New York, a new real estate law recently went into effect. The law, A.1967/S54.00, requires that sellers answer questions on potential flood risk, a history of flooding and flood insurance. In the past, attorneys for sellers in downstate counties advised their clients to give the $500 credit instead of completing the property disclosure form because many of the questions are vague and could spell legal trouble. The amended law removes this option. Click here to learn more. | New Jersey Imposes New Flood Hazard Disclosure Requirements on Sellers and Landlords By: Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, Greenbaumlaw.com, March 18, 2024 In response to increasing risks of significant flooding throughout the state, New Jersey enacted a Flood Hazard Disclosure Law which imposes certain disclosure requirements on landlords and sellers of real property effective March 20, 2024. The law applies to both the sale and exchange of real property, as well as lease transactions. The statute and its required disclosures present a number of significant questions for parties involved in New Jersey sale and lease transactions going forward. Click here to read the full article. | 2024 River Flow Advisory Commission Report The 2024 River Flow Advisory Commission report has been added to the Maine Emergency Management Agency website. The Commission meets annually in late winter to share information, examine potential for spring flooding and to renew operational protocols. Such factors as stream flow, long-term weather forecasts, snowpack, river ice conditions, and reservoir levels are reviewed. This report summarizes the information presented on current hydrologic conditions as of this date. Click here to visit the Maine Emergency Management Agency website and download a PDF of the 2024 Report. |  Image by Marshall Ramsey, and featured in "Mississippi Today" on February 18, 2020 | | | |
