Flood Elevation Certificates are important FEMA tools used to document whether a  home or other building in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) meets elevation requirements. They are necessary to have if you are trying to obtain flood insurance, and if you live in a residential flood zone in the Johnstown or surrounding New York areas, Ferguson & Foss Professional Land Surveyors PC can help you obtain one. 

Here are some circumstances in which homeowners will require Flood Elevation Certificates:

• When Purchasing Flood Coverage: If your home is located in a high-risk flood zone area, your insurer will probably require an elevation certificate in order to determine your premium. According to FEMA, this document will allow your insurance agent to determine if your home is elevated above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), or the elevation that floodwaters are estimated to have a 1% chance of reaching or exceeding each year. The higher your home sits above the BFE, the lower your insurance premium will be.
• When Remodeling Your Home: As Flood Elevation Certificates document your home's Lowest Floor Elevation and building characteristics, you will need to update your certificate if you make any significant home remodels. A professional surveyor can help you submit a new certificate whenever you make any changes to your home. 
• When/If A New FIRM Becomes Effective: If a new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is released for your area and consequently adds your home's location to an SFHA area, this could require you to to obtain a Flood Elevation Certificate. You should speak with your home insurance agent as well as a professional surveyor to determine your home's specific flood zone risk. 

If you are updating your home's structure or have discovered your home is in a high-risk flood zone, Ferguson & Foss Professional Land Surveyors PC can help you obtain a Flood Elevation Certificate. Call (818) 762-9997 to speak to someone today about your project. You can also learn more about their surveying services by visiting them online.