What is a "flood zone"?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues Flood Insurance Rate Maps which show areas that have a 1% or greater chance of flooding. Your house may have never flooded but it still may be in a flood zone.
How do I know if my house is in a flood zone?
Flood maps available at Town Hall will show if your property falls in a flood zone. However, the only way to know for sure if your property
is really within a flood zone is to find out if it has a higher elevation than the "base flood elevation" (BFE). A flood survey determines if the elevations of your home
and the surrounding area are above this base elevation. BFE's are determined by FEMA and are sometimes shown on the maps or may have to be determined by FEMA
for your particular location. Although we can often predict ahead of time if your house has the potential of being removed from a flood zone, a surveyor or engineer can't be sure until elevation measurements are taken and submitted to FEMA.
What are the chances of being removed from a flood zone?
There are no guarantees that your home will be given a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) which will remove it from the flood zone even if you file an elevation certificate and survey with FEMA. A surveyor can tell by research if it is feasible to apply but they can't determine if you are in or out of a flood zone.
However, we've found almost 80% of those clients we have performed flood surveys for have been removed from the flood zone.
What if my house remains in the flood zone?
Some options such as adding fill or putting glass block windows in a basement may remove the structure that is borderline in a flood zone. FEMA can advise you on your options.
If my structure is removed from the flood zone, do I still need flood insurance?
The requirement of flood insurance is usually a stipulation of the lender. Although FEMA may determine if you are out of the flood zone, a lender may still require flood insurance. It is best to check with your lender and/or insurance carrier before spending the money to have a flood survey done.
Who can do a flood survey?
Any New York State registered Land Surveyor can perform the work needed for FEMA but be sure to ask if they have done this type of work before and what the costs include.
How long do I have to wait to find out if I am in a flood zone?
Surveyors can perform the required measurements and fill out paperwork fairly quickly, and depending on scheduling, can have the information sent to FEMA in about two weeks. If the base flood elevation is known, the surveyor may know the results at this time but FEMA usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to determine the official outcome of the application.
How long are my results good for?
Results remain until FEMA determines new flood zone boundaries, which is often not done for 20 years or more.
For more information, please visit www.fema.gov or call your local land surveyor.
Information provided by the Federal Emergency Agency, (FEMA), a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security.
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