Buying a home is a complex and time-consuming step where homebuyers typically sacrifice some of their wish list items. Some homebuyers may get lucky and find their dream home at an affordable price with plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms, and even a massive backyard with tons of extra space. It could be the perfect home until they learn it’s in a flood zone.
Though flooding is not an issue everywhere in the country, in New York City and Long Island, homeowners must address flood zones before moving in. Living in a flood zone requires additional insurance and, at times, may require storm preparation and post-storm repairs. This guide will help homeowners learn how to tell if their home is in a flood zone and dive deeper into New York City’s steps to mitigate flood damage.
What Is a Flood Zone?
Before you can decide if purchasing a home in a flood zone is right for you, it is essential to understand what characteristics make up a flood zone. Flood zones are places outlined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that are at more risk of flooding than other areas. These places are usually near bodies of water, like on the shoreline, and are more susceptible to flooding.
FEMA outlines these areas as hazardous since the flooding can damage homes and, most importantly, put people’s lives at risk. Families looking to move into a property in a flood zone must be aware of the potential dangers.
How to Check If Your Home Is in a Flood Zone
Flood zone maps provide detailed information to help consumers understand if their property is in a flood zone. To check about your home or a home you’re considering purchasing, you can refer to various websites online to find information about local and national flood zones.
If you are wondering if your home is in a flood zone, you can check the following websites:
- FEMA flood zone map
- NYC planning flood map
- NYC hurricane evacuation zone finder
How Does NYC Handle Flood Zones?
NYC falls within several of FEMA’s flood zones, meaning the state and city must take action to guide residents through the risk of living in a flood-susceptible area. The city takes the following actions to protect residents against flooding.
Public Awareness
New York warns residents about potential flooding through public awareness about these flood zones. Particularly, the state makes sure the public knows this flooding in areas more likely to be affected. By making the public aware, the state can help educate residents on what to do in case a flood occurs.
Several New York state entities, like the governor’s and mayor’s offices, work together to produce FloodHelp NY, a website and service that provides information and education for city and state residents. Their website is a valuable resource for insurance and hurricane season information and even helps small businesses with flood management.
Defense
In addition to increasing public awareness, the state of New York also protects and defends buildings from possible flooding. The state improves infrastructure to withstand floods or rising waters, protecting residents and the building. Some types of infrastructure include large barrier walls that can raise in preparation for a storm.
New York state also has an advanced stormwater management system, consisting of sewer systems that help to drain excess stormwater. As stormwater drains, it moves away from residential neighborhoods and puts homes at less risk of flooding.
As of February 2022, the city proposed and published the Unified Stormwater Rule, which updated requirements for how stormwater flows from new and redeveloped sites into sewers. Consistent amendments and new city rules ensure that the city remains as flood-free as possible. The city consistently works to target specific areas of the city that are more prone to flooding, creating infrastructure that limits water damage in residential and commercial areas.
Should You Live In New York?
If you want to purchase a property in New York City, it is essential to know if your desired neighborhood is in a high-risk zone. Many parts of the city reside close to the water, but some specific areas are more prone to flooding.
Financial District
The Financial District is located in New York City in lower Manhattan, specifically at the Southern tip of the city. This area is surrounded by water on three sides, making it an extremely high-risk flooding zone. During intense storms, residential, commercial, and public buildings grow susceptible to flooding. Surrounded by water, the neighborhood can take the brunt of a storm moving upward from the south, putting it directly in harm’s way during hurricane season.
In extreme cases, flooding can suspend utilities, emergency services, and public transportation, making it difficult for residents to access safe escapes from the area and any services they might need if they are injured. These circumstances can put residents at risk and jeopardize them, especially if a storm hits unexpectedly.
FiDi’s economy is also put at risk when there is extreme flooding. Small businesses like restaurants and shops may have to shut down due to storm floods, cutting their profits and hurting their ability to generate income. Therefore, those considering moving to the neighborhood and opening a business will need to purchase a strong insurance policy and ensure they are financially able to survive should a storm hit.
The city recently released The Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, which will incorporate flood defense infrastructure to protect the neighborhood from future storms. Flood walls, pump stations, and resilient ferry terminals will lessen the drastic effects of floods in the southern part of Manhattan. The designs also incorporate walkways and public areas to appeal to residents, creating a space that invites people to the area and protects them when storms strike.
Brooklyn
Aside from the Financial District, Brooklyn is also considered a high-risk flood zone in the NYC area. Like FiDi, Brooklyn is also surrounded by water, leaving the southern parts of the borough most exposed to potential flooding. The northern portion of Brooklyn has more protection as it is further from the shoreline.
One of Brooklyn’s neighborhoods, Red Hook, is surrounded by water on three sides and susceptible to flooding, just like the Financial District. At the moment, The Red Hook Coastal Resiliency (RHCR) Project is in the works to create permanent solutions to future flooding through building elevations and structures.
Long Island
While it is not one of New York City’s boroughs, Long Island is also a part of the state that is susceptible to flooding. While water surrounds the whole island, the southernmost areas like the Hamptons and Fire Island are higher-risk flood zones.
Like Brooklyn’s plan, Long Island seeks to build barriers against storm surges. This will help protect high-risk communities from the damage of hazardous flooding. In 2021, Nassau County released plans to provide more support for susceptive areas, creating stronger infrastructure to keep residents safe.
Hurricane Sandy’s Effects on Flood Zones
In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated New York City and left residents without power for weeks. Areas like the Financial District and Red Hook suffered substantial damage. The entire city suffered $19 billion in damages, and the storm took the lives of 44 residents. Thousands of New Yorkers temporarily lost their homes, and many did not have access to supplies, food, and electricity. After the storm, the city directed more funding to projects that protect against hurricanes and flooding.
The storm also revealed gaps in the flood insurance market for consumers, where many residents could not recoup all of their losses due to a policy that did not adequately protect them. Post-hurricane, FEMA worked to incorporate tens of thousands of buildings throughout the city into pre-determined flood zones that insurance could then cover, providing more protection city-wide.
How Do New York City Homeowners Protect Against Flooding?
New York City homeowners usually must purchase a home insurance policy to qualify for a mortgage. However, insurance policies do not protect against flooding, meaning homeowners must take out an additional flood insurance policy.
Flood Insurance
Those who purchase a home in a flood zone will likely need a flood insurance policy to ensure their home remains protected if a storm strikes. Most mortgage lenders require homeowners purchasing in a flood zone to take out a policy, as lenders do not want to lose out on their investments. Flood insurance costs most homeowners at least $700 per year, significantly less than the cost of repairing a damaged home.
Conclusion
Even though many potential homeowners want to purchase property in New York City, there are flood-associated risks to consider. Many parts of New York reside on the shoreline, and some neighborhoods are more susceptible to flooding. Those looking to purchase property in the city should buy a flood insurance policy to protect their home against flood damage. Homeowners can also check online resources to learn about the flood risk associated with their property.
Several initiatives throughout the city and state are working to create stronger protections against flooding. Hurricane season will hopefully cause less damage in the future, thanks to efforts to construct pumps, barriers, and more robust infrastructure.
