This past week was a busy week for J Webby Consulting. A little break in the weather allowed us to get to Taunton to do some Elevation Certificates for a client that owns multiple rental properties. His flood insurance policy is expiring and these elevation certificates will help him shop around for the best quote on flood insurance based on the risk. In this case the living space was completely above the flood zone. In order to have a structure permanently removed from a flood zone the existing grades around the building have to be higher than the base flood elevation. It’s amazing how many properties zoned as being in a flood zone are in fact not when an on ground elevation survey is performed. Most FEMA maps are based on topographic maps with 10′ contour intervals. National map standards of accuracy say that a topographic map shall be as accurate as one half the contour interval; or in this case 5’+/- This is a big difference if you consider the fact that if you are so much as 0.1′ higher than the base flood elevation you are above the flood zone. If you or someone you know needs an Elevation Certificate or believes they are incorrectly zoned. Have them contact us today for a free estimate and evaluation.
Joseph E Webby III P.L.S.
