FEMA Assistance

Properties that are along the coastline or rivers which may or may not be designated as being in a "FEMA Special Flood Hazard Zone" could be facing premiums for flood insurance coverage.  In order to properly determine if a property is within a flood zone, along with an insurance agent properly rating the property for coverage, a "FEMA Elevation Certificate" is needed. The Elevation Certificate is an important administrative tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This provides a way for a community to document compliance with the community's floodplain management ordinance. This is a federal document that gives information of the residence in relation to the flood zone.  We establish a benchmark at the site, gather grades and photos of the building and mechanicals, and then prepare the actual certificate.  This is then utilized to properly rate the residence for flood insurance.  In certain instances, the property may not be in a FEMA designated flood zone.  If this is the case, a LOMA (Letter of Map Amendment) is then needed to petition FEMA to remove the property from the flood zone mapping.

National Flood Insurance Program Elevation Certificate and Instructions