FEMA 480
______ is the study of a watershed's behavior during and after a storm. - ANS-Hydrology
A builder wants to build a "bi-level" house where the lowest flood is 3 feet below grade. The
lowest floor has large windows and includes 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Because it is
habitable space, the owner does not want to consider this a "basement." Does the NFIP
consider this a "Basement?" - ANS-Yes and the lowest floor (i.e., the basement) must be above
the BFE.
A builder wants to build an apartment building on stem walls parallel to the flow of water with the
lowest floor 8' above grade. Can the lower are be used as a parking lot? - ANS-Yes
A builder wants to put a house in the floodway. How much can his project increase the base
flood elevation (in feet)? - ANS-Zero. A project in a floodway is not allowed to cause any
increase in floodwaters.
A building official finds it easier to read an old flood map prepared on an aerial photograph by
the Corps of Engineers. He doesn't want to use the current FIRM because it doesn't show all the
buildings and features the photograph does. Can he make permit decisions based on the Corps
map instead of the FIRM? - ANS-No. The community must use the latest maps and data
provided by FEMA. If the other map shows higher BFE and a larger floodplain, the community
may adopt it in its ordinance as the regulatory floodplain and exceed the minimum NFIP
requirements. The map must be approved by the FEMA Regional Office before this is done.
A business on the Mississippi River wants to build a floodproofed warehouse on the flood fringe.
The plans are to have the walls built of reinforced concrete up to the BFE. Several garage doors
will be open at grade to allow trucks in and out, but the design includes movable shields that
can be put in place before floodwaters arrive. There would be no other openings below the BFE.
The warehouse will have a 24-hour security force that will be trained on how to install the
shields. The design engineer will certify that the building will be floodproofed (with human
intervention) up to the base flood elevation. Can you approve these plans? - ANS-Yes,
assuming there is adequate warning time to install the shields, which there probably is on the
Mississippi River.
A city councilman complains that the NFIP floodway regulations prevent construction of a flood
control dam that will protect people from flooding. What can you tell him? - ANS-The community
can apply for a conditional letter of map revision if it can provide the following:
1. An elevation of alternatives which, if carried out, would not result in an increase in the BFE
more than allowed, along with documentation as to why these alternatives are not feasible
2. Documentation of individual legal notice to all affected property owners (anyone affected by
the increased flood elevations, within and outside of the community) explaining the impact of the
proposed action on their properties
3. Concurrence, in writing, from the chief executive officer of any other communities affected by
the proposed actions
4. Certification that no structures are located in areas which would be affected by the increased
BFE (unless they have been purchased for relocation or demolition)
,5. A request for revision of BFE determinations in accordance with the provisions of 44 CFR
65.6 of the FEMA regulations
A developer downstream of Dean Lake wants to build a 40 acre subdivision that crosses Ireland
Creek. You need a base flood elevation before you review the plans. What options do you tell
the developer he has? - ANS-1. He can conduct a flood study and produce the BFEs at his
expense.
2. He can set the A Zone aside as open space and not conduct a flood study.
A developer wants to build in an area mapped approximate Zone A on Ireland Creek. He
conducts a detailed flood study which is approved by the Town Engineer. It shows that several
lots in the A Zone are actually higher than the BFE calculated in the study. Can you issue
permits for building on those sites and treat them as C Zone sites? - ANS-Yes, as long as the
Town Engineer assures you that the developer's study:
1. Reasonably reflects flooding conditions expected during the base flood
2. Is technically correct
3. Represents the best data available
A developer wants to build in an area mapped approximate Zone A on Ireland Creek. He
conducts a detailed flood study which is approved by the Town Engineer. It shows that several
lots in the A Zone are actually higher than the BFE calculated in the study. Will the buyers of the
properties have to buy flood insurance policies? - ANS-Yes, unless a map amendment or Letter
of Map Amendment (LOMA) is issued by FEMA
A development plan proposes to fill and re-grade an area of the fringe to give most of the lots
building sites that are above the BFE. The developer says "then we won't have the banks telling
people my subdivision is in the floodplain." What do you tell the developer? - ANS-While the
permit office can use better ground elevation data to determine that a building location is above
the BFE (and therefore outside the SFHA), the property will remain in the SFHA on the FIRM.
That means that it is still subject to the flood insurance purchase requirement and the rates will
be set at SFHA rates. It is the owner's responsibility to submit a request for a Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR) in order to have the FIRM reflect the better data.
A farmer wants to build a dairy barn in the floodway. Will he need to provide you with a "no-rise"
certification before you can issue the permit? - ANS-Yes
A farmer wants to build a small addition onto his farmhouse (in the floodway). Can this be
designed so he won't have to pay for an engineer's encroachment review? - ANS-Yes. If it is
located in the conveyance shadow of the farmhouse.
A flooded property owner has a brother who is a plumbing contractor. His brother's repair
estimates show the damage at 48% of the buildings value. You think it should be higher. What
can you do to prevent an argument over who's numbers are right? - ANS-Get the cost to repair
from an objective third party or undebatable source, such as:
-A licensed general contractor
-A professional construction estimator
-Insurance adjustment papers (exclude damage to contents)
-Damage assessment field surveys conducted by building inspection, emergency management,
or tax assessment agencies after a disaster
A floodway analysis conducted to the minimum NFIP standard allows the fringe to be obstructed
until the base flood level is increase by how much? - ANS-1 foot
, A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet above
grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The new BFE is
now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a large (substantial) addition have to be elevated? - ANS-To at least 6 feet
above grade
A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet above
grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The new BFE is
now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a small (less than substantial) addition have to be elevated? - ANS-To at least 4
feet above grade
A hydraulic study uses the hydrology, cross-section information, and stream characteristics to
determine the flood _____. - ANS-elevations (also velocities and floodplain widths)
A new house is planned to be built in an SFHA marked "Zone AO (depth 3 feet)." How high
should the lowest floor be? - ANS-At least 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade
A property has been annexed from the county into your city, but the FIRM has not been revised
to reflect the annexation. What is the NFIP community number that is recorded in Item 1,
Section B of the FEMA Elevation Certificate? - ANS-Your city's NFIP number. The county NFIP
number is entered in Item of Section B.
A restudy was performed on Rocky River. The preliminary study will not be final for another five
months. It show a new BFE at site B that is 2 feet lower that the BFE in your current FIS. Which
one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new home at Site B? - ANS-When
the BFE in the new study is lower than the BFE, in the existing study, the existing FIS data
should be used until the new study is final.
A restudy was performed on the Josias River. The preliminary study will not be final for another
five months. Is shows a new BFE at Site N that is 2 feet higher that the BFE in your current FIS.
Which one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new home at Site N? -
ANS-The draft revised data should be used unless the community disagrees with the data and
intends to appeal it. As noted previously, the community must first legally adopt the preliminary
study in their ordinance.
A tornado swept through town and substantially damaged 25 buildings in the floodplain. How
can you help property owners comply with floodplain ordinance's substantial damage
regulations? - ANS-Help the owner obtain financial assistance. Many programs are available
after a disaster declaration.
A Zone C on an old format FIRM is shown as a Zone _____ on the newer format FIRM. - ANS-X
An approximate study shows the base _______ but does not show the base flood ______. -
ANS-floodplain, elevation
An encroachment review should review projects in a floodway for what 2 things? - ANS-1. You
must determine whether the project will obstruct flood flows and cause an increase in flood
heights upstream or adjacent to the project site
2. You should determine whether the project will result in increases in down-stream flooding by
removing an existing obstruction.. While you are not required to do this by NFIP minimum
requirements, these changes can cumulatively cause significant increases in downstream
flooding.
______ is the study of a watershed's behavior during and after a storm. - ANS-Hydrology
A builder wants to build a "bi-level" house where the lowest flood is 3 feet below grade. The
lowest floor has large windows and includes 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. Because it is
habitable space, the owner does not want to consider this a "basement." Does the NFIP
consider this a "Basement?" - ANS-Yes and the lowest floor (i.e., the basement) must be above
the BFE.
A builder wants to build an apartment building on stem walls parallel to the flow of water with the
lowest floor 8' above grade. Can the lower are be used as a parking lot? - ANS-Yes
A builder wants to put a house in the floodway. How much can his project increase the base
flood elevation (in feet)? - ANS-Zero. A project in a floodway is not allowed to cause any
increase in floodwaters.
A building official finds it easier to read an old flood map prepared on an aerial photograph by
the Corps of Engineers. He doesn't want to use the current FIRM because it doesn't show all the
buildings and features the photograph does. Can he make permit decisions based on the Corps
map instead of the FIRM? - ANS-No. The community must use the latest maps and data
provided by FEMA. If the other map shows higher BFE and a larger floodplain, the community
may adopt it in its ordinance as the regulatory floodplain and exceed the minimum NFIP
requirements. The map must be approved by the FEMA Regional Office before this is done.
A business on the Mississippi River wants to build a floodproofed warehouse on the flood fringe.
The plans are to have the walls built of reinforced concrete up to the BFE. Several garage doors
will be open at grade to allow trucks in and out, but the design includes movable shields that
can be put in place before floodwaters arrive. There would be no other openings below the BFE.
The warehouse will have a 24-hour security force that will be trained on how to install the
shields. The design engineer will certify that the building will be floodproofed (with human
intervention) up to the base flood elevation. Can you approve these plans? - ANS-Yes,
assuming there is adequate warning time to install the shields, which there probably is on the
Mississippi River.
A city councilman complains that the NFIP floodway regulations prevent construction of a flood
control dam that will protect people from flooding. What can you tell him? - ANS-The community
can apply for a conditional letter of map revision if it can provide the following:
1. An elevation of alternatives which, if carried out, would not result in an increase in the BFE
more than allowed, along with documentation as to why these alternatives are not feasible
2. Documentation of individual legal notice to all affected property owners (anyone affected by
the increased flood elevations, within and outside of the community) explaining the impact of the
proposed action on their properties
3. Concurrence, in writing, from the chief executive officer of any other communities affected by
the proposed actions
4. Certification that no structures are located in areas which would be affected by the increased
BFE (unless they have been purchased for relocation or demolition)
,5. A request for revision of BFE determinations in accordance with the provisions of 44 CFR
65.6 of the FEMA regulations
A developer downstream of Dean Lake wants to build a 40 acre subdivision that crosses Ireland
Creek. You need a base flood elevation before you review the plans. What options do you tell
the developer he has? - ANS-1. He can conduct a flood study and produce the BFEs at his
expense.
2. He can set the A Zone aside as open space and not conduct a flood study.
A developer wants to build in an area mapped approximate Zone A on Ireland Creek. He
conducts a detailed flood study which is approved by the Town Engineer. It shows that several
lots in the A Zone are actually higher than the BFE calculated in the study. Can you issue
permits for building on those sites and treat them as C Zone sites? - ANS-Yes, as long as the
Town Engineer assures you that the developer's study:
1. Reasonably reflects flooding conditions expected during the base flood
2. Is technically correct
3. Represents the best data available
A developer wants to build in an area mapped approximate Zone A on Ireland Creek. He
conducts a detailed flood study which is approved by the Town Engineer. It shows that several
lots in the A Zone are actually higher than the BFE calculated in the study. Will the buyers of the
properties have to buy flood insurance policies? - ANS-Yes, unless a map amendment or Letter
of Map Amendment (LOMA) is issued by FEMA
A development plan proposes to fill and re-grade an area of the fringe to give most of the lots
building sites that are above the BFE. The developer says "then we won't have the banks telling
people my subdivision is in the floodplain." What do you tell the developer? - ANS-While the
permit office can use better ground elevation data to determine that a building location is above
the BFE (and therefore outside the SFHA), the property will remain in the SFHA on the FIRM.
That means that it is still subject to the flood insurance purchase requirement and the rates will
be set at SFHA rates. It is the owner's responsibility to submit a request for a Letter of Map
Revision (LOMR) in order to have the FIRM reflect the better data.
A farmer wants to build a dairy barn in the floodway. Will he need to provide you with a "no-rise"
certification before you can issue the permit? - ANS-Yes
A farmer wants to build a small addition onto his farmhouse (in the floodway). Can this be
designed so he won't have to pay for an engineer's encroachment review? - ANS-Yes. If it is
located in the conveyance shadow of the farmhouse.
A flooded property owner has a brother who is a plumbing contractor. His brother's repair
estimates show the damage at 48% of the buildings value. You think it should be higher. What
can you do to prevent an argument over who's numbers are right? - ANS-Get the cost to repair
from an objective third party or undebatable source, such as:
-A licensed general contractor
-A professional construction estimator
-Insurance adjustment papers (exclude damage to contents)
-Damage assessment field surveys conducted by building inspection, emergency management,
or tax assessment agencies after a disaster
A floodway analysis conducted to the minimum NFIP standard allows the fringe to be obstructed
until the base flood level is increase by how much? - ANS-1 foot
, A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet above
grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The new BFE is
now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a large (substantial) addition have to be elevated? - ANS-To at least 6 feet
above grade
A home was built to post-FIRM standards in 1990. The lowest floor was elevated 4 feet above
grade, to the BFE in effect at that time. In 1995, a new FIRM went into effect. The new BFE is
now 6 feet above grade at that site.
How high would a small (less than substantial) addition have to be elevated? - ANS-To at least 4
feet above grade
A hydraulic study uses the hydrology, cross-section information, and stream characteristics to
determine the flood _____. - ANS-elevations (also velocities and floodplain widths)
A new house is planned to be built in an SFHA marked "Zone AO (depth 3 feet)." How high
should the lowest floor be? - ANS-At least 3 feet above the highest adjacent grade
A property has been annexed from the county into your city, but the FIRM has not been revised
to reflect the annexation. What is the NFIP community number that is recorded in Item 1,
Section B of the FEMA Elevation Certificate? - ANS-Your city's NFIP number. The county NFIP
number is entered in Item of Section B.
A restudy was performed on Rocky River. The preliminary study will not be final for another five
months. It show a new BFE at site B that is 2 feet lower that the BFE in your current FIS. Which
one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new home at Site B? - ANS-When
the BFE in the new study is lower than the BFE, in the existing study, the existing FIS data
should be used until the new study is final.
A restudy was performed on the Josias River. The preliminary study will not be final for another
five months. Is shows a new BFE at Site N that is 2 feet higher that the BFE in your current FIS.
Which one do you use to determine the flood protection level for a new home at Site N? -
ANS-The draft revised data should be used unless the community disagrees with the data and
intends to appeal it. As noted previously, the community must first legally adopt the preliminary
study in their ordinance.
A tornado swept through town and substantially damaged 25 buildings in the floodplain. How
can you help property owners comply with floodplain ordinance's substantial damage
regulations? - ANS-Help the owner obtain financial assistance. Many programs are available
after a disaster declaration.
A Zone C on an old format FIRM is shown as a Zone _____ on the newer format FIRM. - ANS-X
An approximate study shows the base _______ but does not show the base flood ______. -
ANS-floodplain, elevation
An encroachment review should review projects in a floodway for what 2 things? - ANS-1. You
must determine whether the project will obstruct flood flows and cause an increase in flood
heights upstream or adjacent to the project site
2. You should determine whether the project will result in increases in down-stream flooding by
removing an existing obstruction.. While you are not required to do this by NFIP minimum
requirements, these changes can cumulatively cause significant increases in downstream
flooding.
