Post-Sandy Guidelines Call For Higher Homes - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has recently announced new guidelines that must be followed when people rebuild homes that were ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

In an effort to rebuild what Christie says will be a 21st-century Jersey Shore, the new guidelines help Sandy victims determine how high they will have to build their homes to avoid being devastated again in a future storm.

The guidelines are based on new FEMA flood maps that put Jersey Shore homes at a higher risk. The governor says the old FEMA flood maps for New Jersey were more than two decades old and did not reflect real hazards.

Homes in Zone A are in the worst threat area and must be built to the highest standards. Owners who don't comply will face drastically higher insurance rates.

"If the owner were to rebuild using these standards, you will see lower insurance costs in the long run. If you do not, and your property is rebuilt without meeting FEMA's updated standards, you'll see increases in your premiums, and your property will be less safe," said Christie.

The governor insisted that these new standards will make buildings safer and reduce costs of flood insurance for New Jersey residents. The only downside is that it will increase the cost of rebuilding.

"If, in the future, certain neighborhoods, towns, have the maps changed by FEMA, the residents will only benefit," said Christie.

The new construction standards will become effective immediately upon filing with the office of administrative law.