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How A Floodplain Evaluation Can Help Prevent Flood Damage

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 04:45:04 +0000

In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed approximately 800,000 homes leaving many families homeless. Flooding destroyed a large portion of these homes. Places like New Orleans is prone to flooding because they are under sea level and are close to the Mississippi River. Homeowners that live in this area or similar places are strongly suggested to get to know the floodplain evaluation reports for their community. Educating yourself on these floodplains evaluations can help you as a homeowner to protect your house and valuables.

What A Floodplain Is and Why You Should Read Floodplain Evaluation Reports

A floodplain is an area created around parts of a river that will catch high waters and prevent serious flooding. These open space usually build up in a spot that will not be destroyed by a flood. As a homeowner, it is in your best interest to know where these places are and how close your home is. Floodplain evaluations will provide old and new information about your property. A report shows everything about your property including where flooding occurs, when it occurs, and why.

Understanding the Reports

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, provides floodplain evaluation reports and you can access them on their website. These reports are lengthy and can be difficult to understand. The reports are vital for any homeowner in or near a flood zone. These reports are often difficult to comprehend. For more help, contact a floodplain specialist; they can help you with the evaluation. A floodplain specialist is constantly surveying these areas making sure information is updated, and communities are safe. They can provide a 100-year plan for your property. By doing this, you can better prepare for any serious flooding in the near or far future.

How at Risk Are You

Moving to a new area can be extremely overwhelming, and the last thing you want to find is that your home is at risk of flooding. Finding the location of your home will show the level of risk for flood damage. Low-risk areas are less likely to flood and can be easier to predict future flooding. High-risk homes are in more danger of flash floods and damages. Find out how at risk your home is so you can take the appropriate precautions.

Benefits of Knowing if You are High or Low-Risk

The benefits of preventing flood damage are anywhere from avoiding water damage all the way to insurance claims. Once you understand the reports for your area, you should know how at risk you are. Homeowners that are at a lower risk may just need to watch the weather closely for heavy rains. For those homes that are at a higher risk, taking precautions is ideal. Professionals can point you in the right direction of what to buy and what you don’t need to buy. They can also help create a plan to protect your home for times of evacuations.

Protect your home and valuables by finding your areas reports or find a professional to help guide you through this process. Flood Zone Specialist has over 50 years of experience helping protect homes. We have licensed professionals in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio. Call us at 877-863-3069 for help with your floodplain evaluation today.

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Five Things To Consider When Moving Into A Flood Zone

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 04:28:06 +0000

The process of buying a home can be extremely exhausting. The unthinkable can happen out of nowhere. You look at houses one after another until you find the one that best fits your needs. When you are house hunting one of the important things to check is if it is in a flood zone. When your house is in a flood zone, you need to purchase extra items in order to prepare for anything.

Getting Informed

It is important to know if you are in the line of frequent storms or common natural disasters. States like Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina see a lot of hurricanes which cause regular flooding. The closer you live to a flooding source, the more risk you are taking. The world is changing every day; it’s a good idea to see the predicted plans for your property in the near and far future.

Rain and high tides do not always cause flooding. Your home could flood for multiple reasons. Something as simple as a construction site making a mistake can cause an area to flood. It is not unseen that a pipe burst or a bridge gets closed due to obstructions or ice jams. These are just some of the reasons that could cause your house to be underwater.

Your Value

When it comes to investing in a property, the value of the property is crucial. For example, a home in a flood zone could see a significantly lower property value. This can work in your favor at the time of purchasing but not so much when selling. If you are buying your “forever home,” then you don’t have to worry so much about property value.

Finding the Best Insurance

Basic insurance usually does not cover flooding. Unfortunately, flood insurance can cost over thousands of dollars on your overall coverage. It depends on your property specifically and how much at risk you are. Some insurances do bundles on homes and vehicles which can save you a ton.

Losing Your Home

When a house completely floods, other homes in the area usually flood as well. Everything gets ruined. During horrible storms like Irma, Andrew, and Sandy a tremendous amount of homes were destroyed, and it took months if not longer to recover from each of them. Possibly losing a home is something huge to consider.

Buying in a flood zone feels like a risky investment. However, when you find your perfect home, it’s worth the risk in the end. To make sure you protect your investment, hire a professional from Flood Zone Specialists to go over a flood plan or services. Contact us today, at 877-863-3069.

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Structural Modifications to Reduce Your Flood Insurance Premiums

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 04:25:56 +0000

Homes and businesses located in floodplains continue to see the financial effects of the rise in flood insurance rates. Many property owners are frustrated with the high flood insurance premiums they must pay each year. If your home or business has been deemed at risk in a flood-prone area, it is important to understand what determines the cost of your annual flood insurance premiums. When you know the common causes of high flood insurance rates and the steps you can take to reduce them, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year.

Common Causes of High Flood Insurance Premiums

Flood insurance can be costly. But, there are several factors that determine the cost of your annual flood insurance. If your property is in close vicinity to a large body of water, it is understandable that you will have to pay higher insurance rates. For example, coastal communities often hold higher coverage requirements than communities located in the mountains. Once you consider your location, there are a few reasons why your insurance premiums might seem higher than you would expect. Here are some common causes of high insurance rates:

Buildings with basements located beneath the base flood elevation
Entire structures located below the base flood elevation
Structures lacking proper flood openings
Machinery or equipment located below the base flood elevation

Changes to Effectively Lower Flood Insurance Rates

Unfortunately, it might be difficult to change some of the less obvious reasons you are paying high premiums. However, there are some modifications that will help you reduce your insurance rates. Take a look at these five ways to help you reduce your premiums.

1. Relocate utility machinery and equipment above the base flood elevation.

If you locate any machinery and equipment below the base flood elevation, you can find savings by relocating these utilities. Electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, and cooling equipment that services your building may be the cause of your high flood insurance rates. When you elevate this machinery to a level above the base flood elevation, you will notice savings. Attics, closets, or even elevated platforms are great options for relocation.

2. Add proper flood openings or vents.

Those whose property is in a floodplain can see a drop in premium rates when they install flood openings or flood vents into the foundation of their home or business. Garage doors, windows, and doors do not count as flood openings unless they have a specific flood opening installed within. The general requirements indicate that buildings in the floodplain area should have at least two openings with one square inch per square foot of the enclosed area.

3. Elevation efforts can reduce your premiums.

If possible, the SAFEST way to reduce your annual flood insurance rates is to elevate the property above the base flood elevation. You can save hundreds of dollars for every foot the living areas are elevated above the base flood elevation. This also requires you to invest more money into your home, but it’s worth it in the end.

4. File for a permit.

Before elevation can begin on your home, you must file for a permit. A LOMR-F which is a permit to fill would be required, to elevate the grade around the structure. In the long run, this step is crucial to helping you reduce your premiums.

5. Relocate to another area of your property.

One of the most effective ways to modify your structure is to relocate it to another area of your property. If there is enough room in an area whose natural grade is above the base elevation, you can Relocate the structure on the property outside the floodplain. Although this is one of the costlier modifications, it can sometimes eliminate the need to pay flood insurance altogether.

Flood insurance premiums can cost property owners thousands of dollars per year. At Flood Zone Specialists, we take pride in helping property owners find flood insurance rates that are right for them. Talk to an expert member of our certified staff today to find out what options you have to reduce your flood insurance premiums.

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How to Navigate Flood Insurance Claims

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:09:40 +0000

Flood insurance helps you get back to your normal life. However, submitting a claim is never easy. Obviously, insurers need proof of damage and repairs before cutting a check. Equally, you need to understand the fine print of your policy to get the most out of your claim. Here are a few tips to help you navigate an insurance claim with less hassle and greater benefits.

Document Everything

The minute you realize you have flood damage, get your camera. Document everything, even if it seems like a minor detail. A single, sweeping shot of your flooded basement won’t be enough for your insurance company. Record the details, and make sure your photos have time stamps. Write up information to go with the photos to provide context, but make sure every written detail has photographic proof. For instance, if you mention that there were twelve inches of standing water in your basement, then take a picture with a yardstick in the water to measure the actual depth.

Record secondary damages, too. Once the water is gone, take pictures of the materials left on your floor, photograph water damage along the walls, and any other damage that is the result of flood damage. Typically, mold sets in early. If you see any discoloration or unusual growths, take a time-stamped picture immediately.

Review Your Policy Before You Submit a Claim

Insurance companies do not make money by paying out for claims. As a result, they will not pay for anything not explicitly covered in your flood insurance policy, and they will demand proof. That’s why documenting every bit of damage is so important. However, you need more than proof of the damage. You need to know what you’ve been paying for with your insurance premiums.

Before you submit a claim, carefully review your policy, including the fine print. Figure out what services your insurance covers. You also need to know what caveats your insurance provider puts on restoration experts, materials, and other mitigation. If possible, read your flood insurance policy before contacting remediation and restoration teams. Some insurers only allow for specific, prearranged companies to treat your home or business.

Reading your policy may also reveal privileges you didn’t realize you had. After a flood, you may be entitled to more compensation than you expected. For instance, you may be able to replace your carpet instead of simply cleaning it. Additionally, restoration expenses may be covered all the way through fresh paint and specialized repair services for heavily damaged furniture.

Keep an Open Line of Communication with Your Restoration Experts

Your remediation and restoration experts need to be kept in the loop. Discuss your insurance policy with them. They are almost always happy to work with an insurer’s unique demands. Documenting repairs and restoration is just as important as documenting damage, too. Ask whoever you work with to provide you with documentation of your claim. Advance notice is important, so they know what photographs to take and which reports to include.

Every insurer is different, but they all need detailed evidence from both you and your remediation and restoration experts. To see if your home is in a flood zone, call the Flood Zone Specialists today at 877-863-3069. Don’t wait until you have to file a claim.

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All of Your Flood Zone Answers

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:19:04 +0000

Are you considering buying a new home or business in a flood zone? You probably have some important questions. To make an informed decision, you need to explore issues such as safety, insurance concerns, and evaluation of flood zones. The best decisions are always informed ones, after all.

How Dangerous Is It to Live in a Flood Zone

The potential risks tied to flood zones vary depending on the body of water you live near. For example, a flooded lake is dangerous, but it doesn’t have the force of a moving river. Likewise, high waters are dangerous, but currents make them much more hazardous. So, the flood zone you live in determines the amount of risk you face. Floodplains that line rivers are more dangerous than those with a greater distance from the flood’s source.

Another major concern is elevation. How high does the water rise naturally? Is your home at a lower elevation? If there are levies in the area, that’s a sign you are at a dangerously low elevation. When water breaches a levy, it fills lower flood zones like a bowl. It’s difficult to remove the water, and it rises very quickly. The damage Hurricane Katrina left in New Orleans is a perfect example.

Can I Get Insurance If I Live in a Flood Zone

You can, but expect to pay higher premiums. Also, you will probably have to buy specialized flood insurance. There are a few aspects that make flood insurance so expensive. First, it’s directly affected by how often waters rise in floodplains. Next, the inevitable damage created also plays a role in its cost. Keep in mind that insurers gamble on the safety of your home. When your home is almost guaranteed to sustain damage sooner or later, insurers are no longer gambling on if your home will be damaged, but how severely your home will be damaged. It is what makes flood insurance so incredibly expensive for anyone who is actually at risk of flooding. Technically, anyone could purchase this insurance, but if you live at the top of a hill well away from water, then you’d be wasting money. The greater the need, the higher insurers will charge for coverage.

How Do I Know If Live in a Flood Zone

If you buy a home or business in a known flood zone, the sellers are obligated to tell you. It’s a good idea, however, to look around the area for nearby water hazards. Even small creeks can become a serious problem after a big thaw or a lingering downpour. Also, keep in mind that water changes the landscape. Your property may be in an area, that when first assessed, was frequently flooded. However, the course of the river may have moved away, taking the risk of flooding with it. The only way to know for sure is to hire floodplain evaluation experts.

To see if your home or business is in a flood zone, call the Flood Zone Specialists at 877-863-3069. We are thorough professionals with the tools and experience to assess your risk accurately. Don’t wait for a flood to see if you’re at risk. Call today.

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Flood Zone Facts to Understand FEMA Determination

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 14:27:01 +0000

Has your institution determined that you are in a flood zone? Did you receive a letter from FEMA that provided you with new information about your property when it comes to flood zone determination? As a certified floodplain manager, we provide true floodplain determination through vertical measurement. A professional surveyor skilled in floodplain management is the only way to truly calculate floodplain determination. Like most people, you want to question any vague determinations from FEMA or your lender. Before making a rash judgment regarding any recent determinations from your lending institution or FEMA, let’s go over the basic of flood zone determination.

What is a Flood Zone?

Essentially, we all live in a flood zone because anywhere it can rain, we run the risk of flooding. However, there are different levels of flooding risk when it comes to dealing with flood insurance. So, in this case, is your property or structure in a high-risk area for flooding? A high-risk flood zone is identified by a Flood Insurance Rate Map or a FIRM from FEMA. A FIRM will define a Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA, as an area that will be inundated by the flood event. SFHAs are labeled as Zone A, Zone AO, Zone AH, Zones A1-A30, Zone AE, Zone A99, Zone AR, Zone AR/AE, Zone AR/AO, Zone AR/A1-A30, Zone AR/A, Zone V, Zone VE, and Zones V1-V30. Moderate flood hazard areas are labeled Zone B or Zone X and show up on a FIRM. The areas outside the flood zone are labeled Zone C or Zone X.

Most homes are located outside of the SFHA. But, more homeowners are getting letters in the mail from FEMA or their lender that says they have been deemed within the 100-year zone, or within a flood zone. This means you will be forced to pay flood insurance. It is important to understand that the flood zone maps are approximate. Therefore, the only way to truly determine whether your flood insurance cost should increase is to hire a professional flood insurance specialist to provide a flood elevation of your land.

Why is an Elevation Certificate Needed?

An elevation certificate is a document used by the National Flood Insurance Program to certify that the elevation of your structure is located near a 100-year flood zone, or it is not. When writing a flood insurance policy, an elevation certificate is usually needed. If it is not required, a flood elevation certificate can reduce the rates of your flood zone insurance premium. A flood elevation certificate indicates flood elevations, the type of building you own, and the elevation of all the mechanicals that service your building.

Although you might have received a letter from FEMA or your lending institution stating that it has been determined you are in a flood zone, it is important to talk to a flood zone specialist. While it might be frustrating to receive a document stating you are in a flood zone, only a professional surveyor is skilled in floodplain management. Talk to a flood zone specialist about your flood determination.

At Flood Zone Specialists, we are a team of experienced flood zone experts, trained, Certified Flood Plain Manager and Professional Flood Plain Surveyors. Our desire is to provide home and business owners with expert consultation regarding flood zones and flood insurance. If you need to a floodplain determination contact our professionals today at 877.863.3069.

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All You Need To Know About Elevation Certificates

PGNw3BmaSSt3r64 — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 13:17:48 +0000

Flood zone surveyors have recently received an influx of calls in response to the FEMA letters that were dispersed to flood insurance carriers. Members of the National Flood Insurance Program who got these letters were informed of a change in policy regarding high-risk flooding. While many buildings that were pre-FIRM have been grandfathered in at discounted rates, flood insurance carriers will see an increase of up to 5-18% per year in their insurance rates. The only way to ensure the increase stops, when it reaches the appropriate rate, is to obtain an elevation certificate. As a certified flood zone surveyor, we’re going to educate you on all you need to know about elevation certificates.

What is an Elevation Certificate

An elevation certificate is a tool used by the National Flood Insurance Program. Elevation certificates are created by a flood zone surveyor. They are used to certify building elevations for buildings located in an SFHA. The purpose of the certificate is two-fold. First, they help determine flood insurance premium rates. Next, they help support a Letter of Map Amendment or Letter of Map Revision based on a fill. Elevation certificates are an important part of building assessment. They are only accepted when they are awarded by a certified flood zone surveyor.

To determine your flood risk and cost of insurance, a flood zone surveyor will compare your building’s elevation to the estimated 1% chance of flooding will reach during a major flood. They are only necessary for homes or businesses that are in a high-risk flood zone area. This documentation is also helpful for flood plain managers who are working to enforce local ordinances.

How is an Elevation Certificate Used

When creating an elevation certificate, your flood zone surveyor looks at important information to determine your flood risk. This assessment includes the location of your building, building characteristics, and the Lowest Adjacent Grade (LAG). Once they have collected this important data, your insurance agent will use it to compare your risk. The cost of obtaining an elevation certificate varies based on occupancy type, structure type, demand, location, timing, data quality, and flood zone.

In most cases, an elevation certificate is required to issue flood coverage. Once you receive an elevation certificate, you will not need to get a new one if the structure information remains the same. If you are purchasing a new property, there may already be an elevation certificate in existence. You can check on file in your municipality, with the seller or builder before hiring a flood zone surveyor. If you live in a high-risk area and make substantial changes to your building, like building an addition to your home, you will be required to get a new elevation certificate. Your licensed surveyor will be able to give you advice as to whether you need a new elevation certificate.

Although the letter distributed from FEMA has caused somewhat of a panic, getting an elevation certificate is a simple process. Talk to one of our certified flood zone surveyors today to keep your insurance premiums at the lowest rate possible.

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