The sun is winning the battle with the lingering fog.
The island seems quiet now, but that will dramatically change later today and through tomorrow. Â The weather will be cooperating, too.
P.S. Â We have a large family home with a heated pool available to rent for the Labor Day weekend. Â $4000 (regular weekly rent of $8000+). Â Contact me if interested. 609-967-7950.
This was my view earlier- I had just finished ocean kayaking (feeling relieved for not crashing on my return to shore!) Â The ocean was calm, and the sun was peeking out from behind the clouds. Â Beautiful start to the day…
Drastically different view now. Â The rain arrived around 12:30pm…sending those on the beach to the nearby shops, restaurants, and bars 😉
The revised maps for Cape May County are out and available to the municipalities for review. Â Still waiting for the information to be available on the official web site:Â http://www.region2coastal.com/sandy/table
So far, I see that they cleared some of the data- just waiting for the new information to be added.
4pm update- the maps are available on line. Â Enter your shore address in the box half way down on the page, click on “Get Details” to see the flood zone and proposed elevation requirements.
Link for 8/28/13 article in The Press of Atlantic City: Â FEMA Flood Maps a Relief for Cape May County Builders, Rebuilders
Ho, hum…just another morning walk along the beach 😉
Amazing “fall” sunsets recently.
Last night, we watched the International Space Station fly over. At twilight, a steady bright light appeared over the bay, continued overhead, and disappeared over the ocean…very cool!
Over the last 2 years, our beaches took a beating from Irene, Sandy, and several Nor’easters. Â Thankfully, Avalon and Stone Harbor were already in line for a beach replenishment project. Â The June/July timing for Stone Harbor was challenging, however, the municipalities had no control over the schedule.
Now that the projects are complete, I thought it would be helpful to remember the “before” so we can better appreciate the work involved to replace/repair our beaches. Dune grass planting to stabilize the dunes will take place in the fall.
101st Street beach pavilion in Stone Harbor– March 2013 (looking north, right after a storm)…and August 2013 (looking south on a beautiful summer morning).
I have a new favorite house- an amazing custom ocean front home on 17th Street in Avalon, NJ. Â Currently for sale for $7,995,000.
I have attached an MLS link for all of the ocean front homes for sale in Avalon and Stone Harbor.  Click HERE to view.
The options range from older homes (selling for land value), properties situated on the inlet, a few closer to town, southend, and 2 in the dunes! Â Priced from $1,99,400 to $11,995,000.
If you have any questions or interest…I am happy to help. Â 609-967-7950
Avalon, NJ:Â Beautiful family home with a private pool. Â 6 bedrooms. Â Sleeps 12. Â Available for the Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday). Â $4000.
Click here for Property Fact Sheet Contact me for additional information:  ann@anndelaney.com  or 609-967-7950
A quiet morning walk before a busy Saturday: tenants checking out…and new tenants checking in. Â Â Perfect weather for the annual sidewalk sale in Stone Harbor, too.
More FEMA Map info
After spending some time searching through the revised FEMA maps, a few observations:
1) The elevations are much more conservative than stated on the preliminary maps released in December. Â In many locations near or on the bay, the homes built in 2013 sit higher than will be required from this point forward.
2) Most sections are classified as AE zone.
3) There are new “Special X” zones in locations of higher ground elevation (mostly close to Dune Drive/Second Avenue, and toward the beach). Â Not certain if this will result in lower flood insurance premiums for those locations.
4) Still searching for any homes classified as V-zone. Â On the preliminary maps, there were large sections on and near the bay classified as V-zone, requiring new construction and renovations to conform to higher elevations and breakaway walls around the pilings (instead of the typical block foundation crawl space).
If you look up your shore property on the FEMA Maps (click here), you will see both the estimated “curb” elevation (ground level), and the required Base Flood Elevation. Â A Flood Elevation Certificate for your property will provide the exact figures for the curb elevation.
If you are planning to build new or substantially renovate (more than 50% of the structure value), these elevations will apply. Â For example, if your curb is 5 feet, and the Base Elevation requirement is 8 feet: building permits will require the first living level to be approximately 2 feet over the base flood elevation; therefore, 5 feet off the ground. Â If your curb elevation is higher (many locations are 8 to 9 feet) the structure can be lower to the ground.
For specifics, talk with a surveyor and/or the building official for your community.