7 On Your Side helps New Jersey man get flooding claims payout

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- New York and New Jersey have seen their fair share of flooding recently. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has flood maps that mark what they call "special flood hazard areas." If your home is in one of these areas, and you have a federally backed mortgage, you could be required to purchase flood insurance.

7 On Your Side has been following a Roselle, New Jersey, resident's ordeal for years whose property has somehow been in and out of a flood zone. His flood insurance claim-confusion has him drowning in debt.

Tywan Mata's house was originally listed as "high risk," but half his property also sits in a lower risk flood zone.

When asked if he could tell what level he is at, he replied, "I don't know, Nina. This is really overwhelming."

This isn't the first time 7 On Your Side has studied FEMA flood maps with Mata.

"It's hard. It's really hard," Mata said, breaking into tears.

The first-time homebuyer is scared he will have to sell his house because he can't afford the mortgage-required flood insurance premium.

7 On Your Side worked with Mata in 2024 after a winter flood left him drowning in damage. Water entered his elevated home through his back door, which has three steps leading up to it.

He called us when FEMA denied his claim, stating in a letter, "Since your home is not in a special flood hazard area, we are unable to issue a loss payment."

"I felt like my house fell on top of me," Mata said.

This is because two years prior, Mata received a different letter from FEMA stating, "Because your home is located in a special flood hazard area, FEMA has determined you are eligible for a Group Flood Insurance Policy that provides flood insurance coverage for three years. FEMA has purchased this policy for you."

Only after we pointed out the discrepancy and showed FEMA Mata's property within the flood zones of their very own map, did they do a 180. FEMA cut Mata a damage check for $5,495.66 and assured it would keep the claim open. However, Mata says his additional submitted repair costs were never covered.

Mata then received a letter of non-renewal; FEMA would no longer pay for his Group Flood Insurance Policy after it expired, so he had to buy and maintain a new policy on his own.

"The amount of bills and things are piling up as a result of what happened, and I don't know what to do," Mata said.

Susan Crawford, a climate adaption writer and former professor at Harvard Law, says the FEMA maps are drawn for a world that doesn't exist anymore, and that being outside the danger zone doesn't mean you are safe.

"We estimate that tens of millions of Americans are not carrying flood insurance when they really should be," Crawford said.

The FEMA map still shows a tiny sliver of Mata's yard on Thompson Avneue in a "Special Flood Hazard Area." Most of the structure lies in the 0.2% chance of annual major flooding despite being flooded five times in the past four years.

"I feel like I'm just lost right now," Mata said.

When asked about its mapping nationwide, FEMA said in a statement, "FEMA's flood mapping process takes at least 18 months and relies on close collaboration with local partners to integrate data on recent flood events and infrastructure. This methodology remains consistent: FEMA works directly with communities to ensure local knowledge and data sources-including recent mitigation projects-are reflected in every update."

7 On Your Side asked FEMA to revisit Mata's claim and resubmitted his unpaid repair bills. The agency doubled his original settlement.

"I appreciate you, Nina. I appreciate you," Mata said.

FEMA sent Mata $14,273 for his claim and stated, "we are glad we were able to coordinate receipt of the additional information and work with the applicant to get this claim resolved."

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