FEMA Flood Maps Are Changing

FEMA’s flood maps are changing.  Did you know that in 2009, ninety percent of the damage was caused to individuals who were not insured?   Did you know a levee was anything that holds back water? 

David Clukie, CFM, National Flood Insurance Program Regional Liaison spoke at the Atlanta Board of Realtors on February 15, 2012.      David’s email is dclukie@ostglobal.com or David’s office is 770-614-0865.  Another good contact at NFIP is Lynn Magel.  Lynn’s email is lmagel@ostglobal.com and her office is 813-788-2624.  For the city of Alpharetta, please contact Jill Bazinet at jbazinet@alpharetta.ga.us  or 678-297-6200.

Important sites to know:

www.floodsmart.gov          Consumer/Agent Sites

www.msc.fema.gov             Historic Flood Maps

www.georgiadfirm.com      Preliminary Flood Maps (These will not be effective until November or December.   You should contact your local community to see when they will be effective in your area.  You would ask for your city’s flood plain manager in the building department.)

http://www.frma.gov/business/nfip/hillsbo1.shtm   Insurance Related Outreach Tool

http://alpharetta.ga.us/index.php?p=477   Alpharetta Flood Plain Information

http://alpharetta.ga.us/files/docs/pdfs/F&D/PW/Floodplain/Builders%20and%20Engineers%20-%20FAQ.pdf   Information for Building Professionals on Flood Plains

Flood map ratings are:  

V      (Highest Rating) Velocity Zones are the coasts and Great Lakes areas.

A      (High Rating Below V Ratings) Flood Zone Areas

B      (Moderate to Minimal Rating)  

C       (Moderate to Minimal Rating)

X       (Lowest Rating)     

Preferred risk policies are offered for X, X Shaded, B or C Zones. 

Even if you are in the lowest rating, you could still purchase flood insurance for your own peace of mind.   There is a thirty day wait if you are not required to have flood insurance as a mortgage requirement.  

Properties that are currently in an X Zone may be moved to an A Zone.  (Check the historic map and then the preliminary maps to see if your property has changed zones.)   David explained that if you are in a lower risk zone right now that you could be “Grandfathered” into a better flood insurance rate.   Grandfathering does not lock your insurance premium.  Flood insurance policies are endorsable or transferable at closing.   As long as the flood insurance coverage never lapsed, they can maintain the low coverage rate and it can be passed on to the next buyer.  

Flood insurance is based on elevation.   Elevation certificates on property can be obtained from surveyors.  It may be a cost savings for neighbors to work together to get a surveyor to pull several property cites for elevation.  A lot of times when one property is affected, the adjacent properties may be affected.   All structures (both residential and commercial) can obtain flood insurance.    If you have questions, call 1-877-FEMA-MAP to talk to the FEMA Assistance Center regarding the National Flood Insurance Program, flood maps, or any other concerns.  

Anyone can be in a flood zone.  Risk levels are different.   Flood zone insurance helps with peace of mind to minimize your risk in the event of a flood.  Even renters should consider flood insurance on their contents insurance.   Talk to your local insurance agent about flood insurance or call 800-638-6620 to purchase flood insurance.