NORWICH – Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano urges everyone to contact their elected representatives to voice their support for new legislation that is being introduced to declare a 5-year moratorium on flood insurance for New York homeowners. The current requirement is that New York homeowners purchase expensive new flood insurance policies if they live in an area designated as a flood zone since September 30, 2007. The recent revisions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps has only exacerbated this problem. The FEMA flood-mapping techniques have received much criticism, including concerns about the use of old GIS data mapping techniques that can be inexact in measuring elevations, and failure to include historical data on flooding in impacted communities. Governments have pushed for the agency to go back to the drawing board an devise a flood-map plan that reflects on-the-ground realities.
Under existing law, homeowners who live in an area designated as a flood zone are federally mandated to purchase flood insurance. These policies can cost up to $2,000 per year across the state. The proposed legislation would waive the federal requirement to purchase flood insurance for a five-year period and make Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) — a low-cost alternative — available for homeowners who wish to purchase the insurance or are required by their lender to do so. The proposed legislation would also phase in the amount of flood insurance required over an additional five years following the end of the five-year moratorium.
This proposed legislation would provide a significant reprieve to residents as the government continues to sort out and scrutinize modeling that was used to create the flood maps. This legislation was originally introduced by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), and will be re-introduced by them during the current session.
Concerned citizens are urged to contact their elected representatives:
Senator Charles Schumer
Federal Office Building
15 Henry Street #B6
Binghamton, NY 13901
Phone: (607) 772-8109
Fax: (607) 772-8124
To email the Senator: schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contactchuck

Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand
531 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4451
Fax: (202) 228-0282
To email the Senator: gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/

Congressman Richard Hanna
18 Tompkins St.
Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: 607-756-2470
Fax: 607-756-2472
To email the Congressman: hanna.house.gov/contact-me/email-me"

Mayor Maiurano will forward any communications he receives from concerned residents:
Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano
City of Norwich
1 City Plaza
Norwich, NY 13815
Phone: (607) 334-1201
Fax: (607) 334-1208
To email the Mayor: bigjoe169@hotmail.com.