Valley Streamers weigh flood map options

A small group of Valley Stream residents met with Nassau County Legislator Fran Becker last weekend, seeking his help for relief from high flood insurance premiums.

Becker, who is running against incumbent Carolyn McCarthy for the 4th Congressional District seat, has been outspoken against the flood map changes put into effect last year by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Most of Valley Stream’s Gibson section, as well as the Mill Brook community, were included in the new high-risk flood zone. Homeowners with a mortgage are mandated to buy flood insurance.

Joseph Barbaro, of Gibson, said more than a half-dozen residents met with Becker at his office Saturday afternoon.

At a meeting with FEMA officials on Oct. 7, Becker blasted the federal agency for the flood map changes. He called the new maps a “money grab” and said if elected to Congress, he would be FEMA’s worst nightmare.

Gibson resident Carol Crupi, who has been leading the fight against the flood maps changes, said that she recently learned that FEMA received much of its historical data from the Nassau County Department of Information Technology. FEMA officials say they have used historic data in determining what areas should be included in the high-risk zone.

Crupi said she would like to see what information was given by the county to FEMA, but has been unsuccessful so far. She said she asked for Becker’s help as a county legislator to try and access that data.

She and Barbaro say there is also the possibility of a class action lawsuit against FEMA. The purpose of the suit, Crupi said, would be to prove that the flood maps are inaccurate and to get flood insurance premiums refunded. “We’re paying for something we don’t need,” Crupi said, “and it’s being forced on us.”

After two public forums with FEMA officials, Crupi said it has become apparent that something else needs to be done. She noted that representatives from the agency continue to defend the new flood maps. “We can’t get past FEMA,” she said, “because they keep insisting their science is 100 percent [correct].”

Crupi said although the idea of a class action lawsuit has not yet been presented to residents of the community, she would expect a large number of homeowners to sign on should it go forward. She also said she would consider the possibility of a national class action suit because areas in other states have been affected by the flood maps changes, too.

Barbaro said he, Crupi and a few other homeowners have already begun searching for an attorney. “We’re looking to get somebody to represent us,” he said.