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By Anna Davis


People who live in flood zones are required by FEMA and insurance companies to have their homes raised to a given level from the ground. Homes that are not raised are usually prone to catastrophic damage whenever a flood event occurs. FEMA has set the standard height to which homes should be raised. When a house is not raised to the required level, insurance costs incurred by the owner are very substantial. Here are facts regarding House and building raising in Worcester MA.

Base flood elevation is the elevation that has been estimated by FEMA in order to mark the flood water levels in a 100 year storm. The base flood elevation and actual elevation area major determinants of the premium that homeowners pay for flooding insurance. One may find out the current base flood elevation from the municipal building department records.

Regions are categorized by the FEMA according to their vulnerability to floods. Zone A is the safest while zone V is the most exposed. V zones experience the worst floods with three foot breaking waves and they are usually waterfront areas. This implies that they experience the strongest floods and waves. Homes in both zones A and V still have to be elevated, only that the elevation level with differ.

There are several ways through which one can fund their house raising projects. There are people who can afford to pay for the process from their pockets. The US government also issues reduced-interest loans to people who want them. The US Small Business Administration is responsible for giving out the loans to applicants. Another way that one can fund the project is through FEMA grants.

Grants are issued by FEMA yearly to applicants that pass a certain criterion. One has to apply and undergo strict scrutiny and those who qualify get the money. In addition, the National Flood Insurance Program offers coverage referred to as increased cost of compliance. Increased cost of compliance is more applicable to those who are in regions where being in compliance with FEMA requirements costs a lot.

One may only qualify for the cover also referred to as ICC if they are covered by the national flood insurance. The severity of the damage usually determines the eligibility of the applicant cover. The property is to have suffered at least 50 percent damage of the market value prior to the flood. The cover caters for up to 30000 USD of the cost.

While one is raising the house, it is advisable for them to raise it to a level above the current recommended elevations. This is what FEMA is advising the public today. This is because the FEMA elevations may change over time. Exceeding the level protects one against future changes in elevations.

The frequency with which storms and flooding occur in the US makes it necessary to be prepared. The best way to prepare is to elevate the property appropriately. The cost of elevating the house is usually much lower than the amount that one stands to pay in insurance cover on houses that do not meet standards.




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