Stonington — A Mystic man concerned about the confusion surrounding flood insurance coverage has formed a new group designed to help educate residents about the issue.

Thomas Norris, whose Sylvia Avenue home sits just feet from the Mystic River and who pays $4,800 a year for flood insurance, says the group hopefully will help minimize the physical and financial risk of flooding for residents. He said he began looking into the issue when he learned he no longer needed flood insurance because his mortgage was paid off and he became very confused. He said his group will help residents navigate the complex issue.

“There’s a lot of misinformation out there from a citizen's point of view,” he said on Thursday.

In addition to the federal flood insurance program, which most people are insured through, there’s private flood insurance. Rates are determined by what flood zone a home sits in and other factors. Coverage amounts are limited and premiums are high. Some homeowners do not realize flood damage is not covered by homeowners insurance. And hoping the federal government will declare the town a disaster area in a flood so residents can get aid is a risky proposition, as money can be slow to arrive or difficult to obtain.

Norris said that, over the past 11 years, he has spent $40,000 on flood coverage in case of the small chance he needs it.

“I suspect we’ll find there’s a lot of people in Stonington who are confused about the realities of flooding,” he said.

He said 11 people have contacted him so far offering to help with the research and education effort, which mostly will be done via Facebook.

Norris said there’s also a strong perception that the cost of flood insurance “is killing the waterfront housing market.” In his neighborhood of modest homes and cottages along the water, he said four have been for sale for two to three years.

He said some property owners are scared off by the annual cost of flood insurance.

‘“If that’s true, that needs to get out there. The town needs to know that property values may go down and affect the grand list,” he said. “Waterfront property has always been viewed as a cash cow. So it’s something the town needs to prepare for.”

Norris said that the town’s Climate Change Task Force and coastal resiliency planning effort is designed to protect the town from future sea level rise over the long term. But he said his group is designed to help residents with more immediate flood issues.

“I’m almost 70. I’d like to be able to enjoy the next five to 10 years here,” he said.

Norris and his group can be contacted at livingwithfloodinginstonington@gmail.com.

j.wojtas@theday.com