“There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call … The Twilight Zone.” – from Rod Serling’s “Twilight Zone” (Oct. 25, 2013) Or when it comes to flood risk, it could be the X zone for Ocean City.
In keeping with the common horror B-movie trope of “be careful what you wish for,” it appears that the city’s desire to have its federal flood risk reduced has actually swung the proverbial pendulum of liability too far into the other corner.
Some resort leaders have said the expectation of a massive ease-up in flood requirements could put the city in extreme danger.
“I’m more than grateful that they moved the ‘V’ zone out onto the beach, but to give people the option not to buy [insurance] just doesn’t make sense to me,” said Igor Conev of Mann Properties.
Earlier this year, Conev and other industry leaders had lobbied the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to re-classify the town’s oceanfront properties into a less intense flood risk zone, to account for the resort’s highly successful dune system. Read the rest of the article from Ocean City Today.