Flood Maps

Started by Daddymem, May 07, 2005, 01:53:49 PM

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Daddymem

Following is a quick primer on flood maps.
Here is a link to the online FEMA maps:
http://store.msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/FemaWelcomeView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1
 Click on map search and a window will pop up with a map of the country.
Make sure that Public Flood Map is in box 1.  
Type your address in and hope it comes up.  If it doesn't that is okay, just zoom in on the map to your location.  
When you are Zoomed in enough, there will be a long number and letters in magenta font.  Write that down when you find your location (If you are in more than one area, write all numbers down).  
Close the pop up window.  
Now click quick order (don't worry we are not going to be buying anything).
In the Map Panel ID box, enter that number from the map.  
Click Search.  
If the map is available online, click the green dot under the view column.  This will launch a viewer for that map.  
Pan around and try to figure out where you are.  See what zone you are in, print a map, save a picture of the map, or whatever else right in this viewer.  
I use the firmettes all the time for clients, they look nice.  
Way over on the right, at the top is information about the different zones and what they mean.  At the bottom right is the map information such as when the mapping was done.

The importance here is that you should try to keep your first floor above the 100 year flood elevation if possible.  (I hope your entire site is above it Glen  :P ). How can you tell if it is?  Well, first you have to see if you are in a floodzone.  If you are, look closely at the map.  If there are lines with numbers, those represent the floodzone elevation and you are done.  If there are no numbers, you have to research further with your local FEMA people.  Some insurance agencies have this, some Towns keep track of this.  
If you are not sure, contact an engineer, or someone else "in the know" about these things.  
You may be saying from your mountain site that this has nothing to do with me...it could, flooding doesn't jus occur on the coasts, there are floodzones for rivers and lakes too.  
Keep in mind these are flood waters which are above the ground and go down, and not groundwater which comes from below and comes up.
Où sont passées toutes nos nuits de rêve?
Aide-moi à les retrouver.
" I'm an engineer Cap'n, not a miracle worker"

http://littlehouseonthesandpit.wordpress.com/

glenn kangiser


This time I think I am safe for sure.  On a ridge at appx. 3000' elevation.  If it gets to me, the rest of the world is in real trouble. ;D
"Always work from the general to the specific." J. Raabe

Glenn's Underground Cabin  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

Please put your area in your sig line so we can assist with location specific answers.