HomeMy WebLinkAboutSample FP Letter for all properties
Notification of Updates to Flood Hazard Maps
Date
Name
Address 1
Address 2
Dear Property Owner:
A multiyear project by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to re-examine flood risks throughout Hennepin County and develop electronic flood hazard maps is nearing completion.
The updated maps will become effective on November 4, 2016, replacing the current maps that were adopted in 2004.
The principle structure located at the address identified above appears to be located in, or is located adjacent to the Special Flood Hazard Area (aka SFHA, the 1-percent, or 100-year
floodplain).
How will these updated maps affect you?
If you have a mortgage or secured loan from a federally regulated or insured lender (this includes most loans) and the principle structure on this parcel is within the SFHA, then by
Federal law your lender must require you to carry flood insurance.
Most lenders will check their loans when the updated maps become effective on November 4, 2016. They will send a letter to all properties in the SFHA (and often to those close to it)
to notify them that they must purchase flood insurance within 45 days. If a policy is not purchased within this time period, the lender will “force place” a policy, which is normally
much more expensive.
Flood insurance is available through your agent or one of the agents listed by searching the “Agent Finder” section of FEMA’s Flood Insurance website, FloodSmart.gov. If you have any
kind of risk for flood damages, both in or out of the floodplain, the city encourages you to purchase flood insurance.
What to do if you believe you’ve been inadvertently included in the SFHA?
There are often scenarios where the boundaries of the floodplain do not accurately reflect the true topographic characteristics of a site. If you believe your structure and/or parcel
is higher than the actual flood elevation, there is a procedure for appeals known as a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). Traditionally, a LOMA involves hiring a surveyor to verify the
lowest ground touching the structure, deck or stairs is above the 100-year flood elevation. However, under the right circumstances, two other types of streamlined methods can be pursued
in lieu of a field survey:
Letter of Map Amendments using updated elevation data would be used when LiDAR- derived contour elevations can verify that a structure is above the 100-year flood elevation.
Letter of Map Amendment – Out as Shown (LOMA-OAS) can be used when a flood map overlaid on top of an aerial photo plainly shows that a structure is completely out of the floodplain.
For those that would qualify for either of the two streamlined methods described above, the city can assist in obtaining a map that can be used in lieu of a field survey.
More information on the process for submitting a LOMA is available from the MN Department of Natural Resources at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/watermgmt_section/floodplain/map_appeals.html
What can be done to mitigate flood risk and/or reduce premiums?
Elevating, retrofitting, or floodproofing a structure may help to reduce both risk and insurance premiums.
If you have any questions regarding the new Floodplain maps or their impact on your property, please contact the Orono Planning Department at 952-249-4620.