Please refresh my feeble memory:
The current FIRM shows a small portion of the property within the FHZ (100 yr). The private residence is clearly outside the A zone, but it has a basement the floor of which could be below the BFE. Building Diagram 2.
Assuming the Lowest Adjacent Grade is above the BFE but the basement is below the BFE, does this make the house outside the A Zone for FEMA and insurance purposes?
If the basement floor is above the BFE, so much the better.
Thanks.
Tyler
It's my understanding that if the entire structure is located outside the flood zone, then flood insurance is usually not required by the lender regardless of a basement below the BFE. It would give the homeowner a warm fuzzy feeling though to purchase it, if he is close.
Grey area......(so to speak), especially if the area was ever filled in the past.
You may want to review FEMA Technical Bulletin 10-01
and also discuss it with the Local Community Flood Official
Also machinery in the basement that is below the BFE could be an issue.
Thanks Bill and Marc.
I'm sure that the house is NOT on fill. The slope continues on up behind the house - the street in front is in the FHZ.
billinsc is right here on the East Coast FEMA says if the structure is out of the flood plain, i.e. in one of the X Zones. There is no Elevation Certificate needed.
BUT because the insurance company's computer program says the house is in an AE El. 9' Zone. I am doing next Tuesday a FEMA Elevation Certificate on a house in the X Zone. However in the nothwest corner of the house, one could urinate out the window and hit the AE El. 9' Zone.
If the LAG is above the BFE it doesn't matter what the elevation of the basement or anything else is for that matter. A LOMA will be granted if the LAG is above the BFE. If it is mapped outside the SFHA but the homeowner is still being required to carry ins. but can provide a LOMA to have the requirement waived FEMA will issue LOMA's that state "Out as shown".
