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.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.)
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.
