Flood Hazards and Flood Insurance Rate Maps PDF

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Description

Flood Hazards and Flood Insurance Rate Maps The Federal Emergency Management Administration has prepared flood maps for most areas of the United States. These are detailed maps that show what areas will be inundated during a 100-year flood event. You are working as a geologist for an insurance company and use these maps daily. Today, your job is to assess the flooding hazard for three residential properties and determine how much the homeowners will need to pay for flood insurance. To complete your work, you will use a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), a map that shows the different flood hazard zones within a community. As you can see in the chart below, insurance rates vary widely, depending upon the map zone that a property is located within.

Map Zone

Property Details

Insurance Cost Per Year for each $100,000 of property value*

Zone A

one foot or more above base flood elevation

$301

Zone A

at base flood elevation

$431

Zone A

one foot or more below base flood elevation

$1251

Zone B

no basement, previous flooding

$351

Zone B

basement, previous flooding

$441

Zone B

no basement, no previous flooding

$221

Zone B

basement, no previous flooding

$246

Zone C

no basement, previous flooding

$351

Zone C

basement, previous flooding

$441

Zone C

no basement, no previous flooding

$221

Zone C

basement, no previous flooding

$246

Zone V

all properties

$835

Zone X

no basement, previous flooding

$351

Zone X

basement, previous flooding

$441

Zone X

no basement, no previous flooding

$221

Zone X

basement, no previous flooding

$246

(rates listed in this table are fictitious and do not represent actual insurance costs) * insurance costs for a $200,000 home would be 2x the amount shown, costs for a $50,000 home would be 0.5x the amount The community panel number and effective date are both important pieces of information to cite in a flood hazard assessment. They show the specific information source

For more information on flood maps https://floodmaps.fema.gov/

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Flood hazard areas on the FIRM (flood insurance rate map) have been shown with light grey and light blue coloring. The edges of these areas are marked with a solid lines known as "flood boundaries." Points on the 100-year flood boundary have one chance in 100 of being flooded in any given year and points on the 500-year flood boundary have one chance in 500 of being flooded in any given year. Light grey shading is used for areas within the 100-year flood boundary (Zone A). These areas are at elevations BELOW the 100-year flood boundary - so the chance of being flooded is higher than points located right on the flood boundary. Locations within the boundary have at least 1 chance in 100 of being flooded in any given year. Locations closer to the stream have a higher probability of being flooded, while locations upslope have a smaller probability. Locations right on the 100-year flood boundary line have 1 chance in 100 of being flooded in any given year. Light blue shading is used for areas within the 500-year flood boundary (Zone B). They have at least 1 chance in 500 of being flooded in any given year. Again, lower elevations within this zone will be flooded much more frequently and locations near the boundary will have 1 chance in 500 of being flooded in any given year. Unshaded (white) areas on the map are zones of minimal flooding (Zone C). They can be flooded during an extreme flooding event (an event that exceeds the 100-year or 500-year flood). Also, local drainage problems can cause flooding in these areas. One of the many ways that flooding can happen in these areas is if debris blocks the passage of water under a bridge or through a culvert. Then, the backed-up water can rise much higher than it would under normal conditions. Because these situations cannot be predicted, they cannot be mapped. The best way to avoid this type of flooding is through prudent design and maintenance of drainage ways. The "Base Flood Elevation Lines" show how high (in feet above sea level) the waters of the 100year flood will be at that location. Notice how they cross the stream channel.

The properties that you are to assess have been marked with red squares. Detailed information about each property can be found below the map. 

Site 1: Two-story, brick-faced, single-family home with basement. Located on the south side of Pearl Street. Estimated value: $100,000. Site elevation: 852 feet. This property has never been flooded

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Site 2: Two-story, wood-frame, single-family home with no basement. Located on the north side of Reberolle Street. Estimated value: $100,000. Site elevation: 835 feet. Previous flooding has been reported at this site.

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Site 3: Two-story, wood-frame, single-family home without basement on a level lot. Corner lot located on the east side of Walnut Street at the intersection with Norris. Estimated value: $100,000. Site elevation: 910 feet. No previous flooding reported at this site.

Riverside: This mobile home community is located in the valley of the Palouse River with most of the current homes being located upon the sandy soils of the flood plain. Park regulations prohibit permanent foundations and require skirting around all mobile homes. Population: 438 Ralston is located on the north bank of the Clearwater River. This land was once owned by William and Clara Ralston. The Ralstons gave generous-sized lots to many of their well-to-do friends who built large wood-framed, single family, Victorian-style homes in the late 1800's. Rich in history, this neighborhood is still the most impressive part of Hazard City. Population: 640. Downtown: This area is the business center of Hazard City. Nearly all of the one- to three- story buildings are constructed of unreinforced brick and masonry. They house retail business and offices on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors. Hazard City is proud to announce that they have recently qualified to receive designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation as a "Tree City USA." Population: 1946. Hickory Estates is the part of Hazard City that developed rapidly in the 1920's through about 1940. The single-family, multi-story, wood-frame homes were all built before World War II. Hickory Estates is a community of sloping streets above the Clearwater River. The residents include a large population of retired people who take pride in maintaining the appearance of their homes and community. Population: 6412.

Walnut Heights: A planned, gated, residential community of single family homes. Founded in 1981, these single-family, wood-frame houses are all of newer construction. Many of the homes overlook the downtown area and have a commanding view of the Clearwater River. The residents here feel they live in the best part of town. This community is still growing and new construction can be observed on almost every street. The schools in this neighborhood are the best in the county. Population: 2457. Shopping Mall: A sprawling area of discount stores, general merchandise stores, and restaurants, this area also has a movie theater, bowling center and miniature golf course. These businesses are surrounded by parking lots and are located on steadily rising slopes between the Clearwater River and the hilltop community of Walnut Heights. You have examined the FIRM for Hazard City and reviewed the locations of three properties. Your job now is to report the flooding hazard and potential insurance costs for each property.

Site

Flood Zone

Probability of Flooding in Any Given Year

1

· zone of minimal flooding · on the 500-year boundary · within the 500-year boundary · on the 100-year boundary · within the 100-year boundary

· less than 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 500 · at least 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 100 · over 1 chance in 100

2

· zone of minimal flooding · on the 500-year boundary · within the 500-year boundary · on the 100-year boundary · within the 100-year boundary

· less than 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 500 · at least 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 100 · over 1 chance in 100

3

· zone of minimal flooding · on the 500-year boundary · within the 500-year boundary · on the 100-year boundary · within the 100-year boundary

· less than 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 500 · at least 1 chance in 500 · about 1 chance in 100 · over 1 chance in 100

Estimated Annual Flood Insurance Cost Per Year

Your Name: _______________________________________________________...