flooding

New Jersey officials plan to unveil a plan in the next two to three weeks for buying out roughly 1,000 flood-prone homes from owners who want to sell them, a state Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said Tuesday.

Federal officials are encouraging homeowners in flood-prone communities to consider elevating their houses and raising their deductibles to cut down on rising flood insurance premiums.

Owners of perpetually flooded homes could be getting bought out through the state’s Blue Acres program, provided Governor Christie receives the quarter billion in funding he’s asking for from the federal government.

New Jersey's adoption of expanded flood maps in the wake of Superstorm Sandy has put more than 33,000 additional residential buildings in flood zones, a nearly 15 percent increase.

As New Jersey lawmakers consider a package of bills to help the state recover from Superstorm Sandy, a former New Jersey environmental protection commissioner says the storm provided a golden opportunity to buy out flood-prone homes and move them further away from the water.

New Jersey is adopting advisory flood maps released last month by the federal government to guide rebuilding following Superstorm Sandy, putting into effect tougher standards for reconstruction that will in some cases force homeowners and businesses to relocate or build at higher elevations, Gov. Chris Christie announced Thursday.

Governor Christie won't be waiting for FEMA to release the final Flood Base Elevation maps, instead saying he will make the decision on the state's flood maps.

The new FEMA flood maps recommend that residents in flood zones in ten counties consider raising their homes anywhere between one and five feet.

Many home and business owners flooded out by Superstorm Sandy could get insurance payouts soon through congressional action expected Friday on a $9.7 billion bill to replenish the National Flood Insurance Program.

A post-Christmas storm has brought high winds and snow to New Jersey.