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2022 HIGH SCHO OL S P O RT S P R E V I E W April 14, 2022
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Vol. 70 No. 16
APRIl 14 - 20, 2022
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WANTAGH’S
Flood insurance rates on the rise in Seaford area? By JoRDAN VAlloNE jvallone@liherald.com
Households in Wantagh and Seaford could see increased flood insurance premiums on policies that renew after April 1, due to the National Flood Insurance Program’s new system for setting prices. The new rating methodology, called Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action, ensures “flood insurance rates are actuarily sound, equitable, easier to understand and better reflect an individual property’s flood risk,” according to a release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For new
policies, this rating system has already been used since last Oct. 1. Risk Rating 2.0 compares rate changes with the legacy rating system that has been in place since the 1970s. “The comparison data debunks a huge myth held by many critics of the new methodology that under the old system, flood insurance rates were not subject to regular annual increases,” David Maurstad, senior executive of the National Flood Insurance Program, said in a FEMA news release. “The truth is rates have gone up every year for all policyholders and will continue to do
Courtesy Harry Loud
THE AREA’S VulNERABIlITy to flooding was evident in 2014, when Wantagh Parkway was submerged after a heavy rainstorm. so if no action is taken. “The side-by-side comparisons show some policyholders now will experience decreases under year one of Risk Rating 2.0,” Maurstad added of the change, “while a majority of remaining policyholders will see premium increases mostly on par with what they already pay.”
FEMA said that the new m e t h o d o l o g y t a ke s i n t o account the cost of rebuilding, which ensures “equitable” rates for all policyholders. According to Redfin, a real estate brokerage that details market trends, approximately 1,401 homes in Wantagh and 2,254 homes in Seaford are at risk of flooding. Eleven per-
cent of those homes in Wantagh, and 33 percent in Seaford, are required by their mortgage companies to have flood insurance policies. Premiums can cost anywhere from $225 to just under $2,500 per month. High Risk areas for flooding, as defined by FEMA, are areas with a 1 percent annual Continued on page 14
Seaford, Wantagh residents help combat hunger By MARIA CESTERo mcestero@liherald.com
Amid the grocery shortage scares of the coronavirus pandemic, Jill Schieber recalled buying lots of food in order to prepare for the worst. As a result, Schieber had to sporadically throw out the food she had bought because it had gone bad. Then she had an epiphany: She would stop wasting food, and instead help fellow Long Islanders. “I’ve always had a hard time throwing away food,” said Schieber, who lives in Plainview. A social worker, she said she knows all about families who are
struggling with food insecurity. “The people that go to food pantries, you never know who they are,” she said. “They’re everyday people.” In February, Schieber organized a Facebook group for community members in need and volunteers alike, to help them connect. After receiving many private messages, she posted to the group in need to enlist someone to help her in her service work. The group, “Neighbors Feeding Neighbors LI” is a network on which anyone can offer or ask for help. Schieber got the idea from her sister, who lives in Los Angeles and does similar work
F
acing a struggle is temporary.
lISA GARCIA
Wantagh resident there. So far, the group has grown to about 85 volunteers across Long Island, 35 additional volunteers who are willing to deliver food to families struggling with food insecurity, and six homes made available as midway points, stocked with donated food. One is the Seaford home of Maureen Kass.
Kass also answered Schieber’s call for extra help managing the group. Kass helps her by coordinating the connection between volunteer helpers and families in need. Schieber explained that some of those in need are embarrassed to post publicly on the Facebook page, and instead directly message the administra-
tors. So far the group has helped over 30 families since February. “If I can do anything to help my fellow neighbor here on Long Island, I’m happy to do it,” said Kass. “When I see someone in need, I have to do something about it.” Kass said she has definitely noticed the growth of food inseContinued on page 15