Do I Need Flood Insurance?
Did you know four of the top eight cities most vulnerable to a major Storm Surge are located in Florida? Tampa/St. Petersburg being the most vulnerable U.S. City from storm surge flooding.
A severe storm can cause an enormous buildup of water and inundate large areas of the bay area. Also, heavy rain can cause an already saturated ground to be at risk for flood.
A Flood Determination will let you know if you are in a Preferred or Special flood Hazard zone. If you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area, then you will usually need to have an Elevation Certificate. Florida has a Standard 30 Day waiting period for the coverage to start, so don’t procrastinate. Flood Insurance premiums start as low as $162.00 a year.
What is an Elevation Certificate?
A Flood Elevation Certificate is an important tool of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is used to certify building elevations if the building is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area in order to:
- Determine the proper flood insurance premium rate for the building.
- Support a request of a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on fill (LOMR-F).
The elevation information must be submitted on the Elevation Certificate (FEMA Form 086-0-33) in effect at the time that the Elevation Certificate was completed and signed. Elevation Certificates can only be completed by a licensed land surveyor, engineer, or architect who is licensed by the State to perform such functions.