Christie: Tough new flood maps will be scaled back

MANASQUAN, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie says some good news may be coming for people agonizing over whether to elevate their houses in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

At a town hall meeting in Manasquan Thursday, Christie predicted the Federal Emergency Management Agency will scale back tough new flood maps it issued last December. Those maps place many more properties in flood zones, requiring many of them to be elevated if their owners don’t want to see flood insurance rates soar.

Christie says every indication he has gotten from FEMA is that the flood maps will be “significantly” rolled back, perhaps in as soon as a few months.

He says homeowners who elevate their homes without waiting to see what new standards will be should see a big discount on their flood insurance.