Don't beat me up too bad on this one... I'm having a bit of a "fried brain" moment.
Situation:
2007: Dwelling is constructed in completely out of overlayed graphical Zone A (No Base Flood Elevations determined).
2011: Dwelling is now located within the Zone A (No Base Flood Elevations determined) on the new maps. County won't pick an elevation.
I'm assuming that they'll need to have a flood study of some sort done by a PE to get out of paying flood insurance. Am I right on this? Or what do I need to do to do a LOMA or LOMR. Sorry if this is a elementary question, I'm just not too well versed in some areas.
Thanks for any and all constructive input.
Carl
Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) and Letter of Map Revision-Based on Fill (LOMR-F) Process:
http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/fmc_loma.shtm
I have not had to personally (under my license) do one yet - the engineer in our office who used to do these is no longer with us - so I'm waiting for my turn when the new Des Moines maps become available.
The issuance of a LOMA or LOMR-F eliminates the Federal flood insurance purchase requirement as a condition of Federal or federally backed financing; however, the mortgage lender retains the prerogative to require flood insurance as a condition of providing financing, regardless of the location of a structure. The purchase of a flood insurance policy is wise even if a structure is located outside the SFHA. More than 25 percent of flood claims are made by property owners located outside the SFHA. The issuance of a LOMA or LOMR-F does not mean the structure or lot is safe from all flooding; it means that the risk of flooding is not as high as it is in the SFHA. Events greater than the 1-percent-annual-chance event can and do occur. It is also to important to note that the flood insurance premium rate for structures located outside the SFHA are lower than the premiums for structures located in the SFHA.
Here we can contact the Army Corps of Engineers and they will establish a BFE in
Zone A. The last one I saw they charged $250.
Thank you fellers!!
I love this board!! I got a call and an email from a former poster that will help out should I need to do a LOMA or LOMR. Right now, the whole issue is on hold... as usual.
Thanks again!!
Carl,
Please share an info you've learned, maybe we could all learn something.
thanks in advance..
Carl,
if there is (and I assume there is) a county flood official...then you would need to contact them to see it the city/county has determined a BFE. Also check into some FEMA doc's to see if there has been one determined. Just from my experience.
An Elevation Cert. in a Zone A can still benefit the client (via reduced premiums) if the finish floor is 2+ feet above the Highest Adjacent Grade. This is without a BFE (of course because it's Zone A) and without a LOMA.
Carl,
I know you're on hold, but here's my two cents worth anyway.
The LOMA application lists about four organizations that you should to call to check to see whether any BFA has been calculated for your site by those organizations. The Army Corps is one of them. Finding no FBE available, you state that fact in your letter to FEMA and request that FEMA Engineers please calculate the BFE. They will then do this for you at no charge.
Also, check the FEMA website for any LOMA's that have been granted for nearby properties. If You find any LOMA's, provide the Case number(s) in your letter. That will make it easier for FEMA to complete you LOMA application.
Chris in NH
