The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New York State Department of Conservation (NYS DEC) held a series of "open houses" to explain new assessments of Nassau County's flood risks and the results of a preliminary flood insurance study, which will affect flood insurance rates. FEMA held six meetings for elected officials that are working sessions, and three for the general public.

"Over the past several months we have seen horrific reports of destructive flooding throughout the country, particularly in the Midwest. But here on Long Island, we are also susceptible to damaging floods that could devastate our region," said Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy in a statement to Anton Community Newspapers. "It is crucial that we are prepared in the event of a flooding disaster, but Long Islanders need to have the proper insurance to cover the costs of the damages that could result from serious flooding. We must accurately know our risks and be prepared in the event of a flood."

As a result of a new mapping system, some homeowners that were not previously considered to be in flood-prone areas might now need to reconsider purchasing flood insurance, or increasing the amount of insurance that they are already carrying. The FEMA maps utilize new technologies that have updated the floodplains and in some cases reclassified areas that were previously considered to be lower-risk for serious flood damage as higher-risk. These changes can dramatically impact the cost and amount of insurance that people should have on their homes.

Nassau County residents can check their status by contacting local municipal offices or online at http://rmc.mapmodteam.com/RMC2/Counties_Nassau.htm.

Barbara Lynch, FEMA spokesperson, said that on the North Shore there have been changes and 892 sites have been removed from the special flood hazard area, a 97 percent decrease. "In the Village of Bayville, there are 160 reductions which is a 10 percent decrease, in the special flood hazard area, Lynch said, adding, "James Goolsby, the building inspector for the Village of Bayville said, 'Thank God we re-did the maps. They were old and not realistic. They were not consistent with what happened with Hurricane Gloria, which was a high water mark for the village.'"

According to Lynch, maps have not been adopted as yet. "We don't adopt them. They have to be adopted by the community. As members of the National Flood Program, each community has to adopt the map."

Being in a flood zone, she explained, means that when someone builds, they have to use certain specifications on being in a flood zone.

For example, said Lynch, "In Oyster Bay Cove, 10 structures are being removed from the flood plain. That is 77 percent removed from the flood plain." It should be noted that Oyster Bay Cove is a small village with only four streets. It is also situated on high ground.

"The decisions are made according to the elevation of the land... although there are people who elevate their structures and in New York State, a two foot freeboard: 2 ft. above baseline is allowed. The designations indicate the projected level the water will rise in a hundred year flood, or 1 percent of happening in any given year, said Lynch, adding that maps are sent to the municipality's building inspector's office. "They need to know if a building is in a flood zone," she said.