With a Nor'easter sweeping through New Jersey, and flooding requiring evacuations reported in three counties, an insurance trade group warned that many in the state have no coverage for the deluge.
This despite the fact that flooding is New Jersey's number-one natural hazard, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“In our state it's almost to the point where you're not safe anywhere,” said Rachael Moore, communications director at the Insurance Council of New Jersey.
Ms. Moore noted that “New Jersey has seen its fair share of floods in recent years. Unfortunately, there were too many occasions when homes and possessions were damaged by flooding and homeowners did not have the proper insurance to cover the losses. Only flood insurance, not homeowners' insurance, covers these types of losses.”
The state has a U.S. Census estimated population of more than 8.7 million. According to the Council, as of Feb. 28, there were 215,271 active National Flood Insurance Program-subsidized flood policies in New Jersey, whose coverage totaled more than $42.5 billion.
The Council said New Jersey ranks fifth in the nation for total number of flood policies. The average annual flood premium in New Jersey is $672.22.
From Oct. 1, 2005, to Sept 30, 2006, New Jersey has had a 7 percent growth in NFIP policies, according to Ms. Moore.
New Jersey Acting Gov. Richard Codey today declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay home from work and off the roads, if possible.
The storm carried wind gusts exceeding 40 miles-per-hour and dumped upwards of five inches of rain in some areas of the state, with numerous communities experiencing significant flooding.
State Police said there was flooding in Passaic, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties.
The Passaic County Office of Emergency Management said it was evacuating areas of Wayne Township and might possibly evacuate areas of Little Falls.
Temporary shelter was being provided to deluged residents of Passaic, Pompton Lakes and Paterson.
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