Curious about how to find out if your property is in a flood zone? Join the club. Fortunately for you, we’ve got the answers!
Your coworkers are talking about the heavy rain and how nervous they are for their homes. Too much rain can cause flooding in areas that are at high risk. Could this be your home?
It’s important to know whether or not your home is a flood zone because you can prevent problems before they occur. But how do you know if your property is in a flood zone? Find out here:
Check with FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA, has a service center that can provide you with flood zones, floodway, and the risk level of your home.
A flood map can give you information about coastal barriers, the base flood line, etc. A flood zone map will show specific areas of your property that are at risk. There are small flood hazards and bigger flood hazards you could be dealing with.
Only part of your lot may be a flood zone. A FEMA flood zone map is the easiest way to determine if your property is a flood hazard. Other methods for figuring this out include tax record databases and title searches.
Flood Zone Status
A FEMA flood map will show whether or not your home is in a flood zone, but does this information have to be disclosed to homebuyers?
FEMA has each state varying when it comes to specific laws regarding flood zone status. Federal laws don’t require outlining past flooding.
Full disclosure about the status is up to you depending on which state you live in. Although not mandatory, some may say sellers have an ethical obligation to disclose the previous flooding. Depending on the zone designation, you may not be able to get a mortgage on your property.
Flood Prevention
Being in a flood zone can cause a lot of problems. Not only do you have to worry about damage to your home, but the price of your home could also change dramatically if you are in a flood zone.
Luckily, there are some ways to prevent flooding and minimize your losses.
- Flood Insurance
- Elevating appliances such as a furnace, water heater, electric panel, etc.
- Free storm drains and gutters of debris
- Install check valves
- Seal basement walls
- Store valuable and legal documents on higher levels
- Buy a flood sensor
- Keep track of changes
Flood Insurance
Once you have figured out that you live in a flood zone area, find out if you have flood insurance. Most policies don’t cover damage from floods.
Flood insurance can cost anywhere between $200-$800 per year. You can lower this cost by having your protection against flooding.
Are You In a Flood Zone?
You now know how to figure out if your property is in a flood zone. If you are in a hazard area, consider flood insurance, and keep up with ways to prevent flooding and minimize damages.
Keep coming back for more articles like this!
