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FEMA Elevation Certification
About the Service: Hunter Martin and Associates, Inc. Survey Department offers an Elevation Certificate Service for Kentucky and Illinois homeowners with structures located in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated Flood Hazard Zones. Since FEMA established the National Flood Insurance Program, Hunter Martin has provided Elevation Certificates for countless homeowners along the rivers, tributaries and coastal areas of Kentucky and Illinois. All surveys are conducted in strict compliance with established FEMA guidelines.
Is my home located in Flood Hazard Zone?
Flood Hazard Zones are
typically found in low-lying or areas near rivers and creeks. FEMA has determined
Base Flood Elevations for most Flood Hazard Zones. The Base Flood
Elevation is an elevation above the mean sea level which indicates
the predicted water surface elevation resulting from a flood that
has a one percent chance of equaling or exceeding that elevation in
any given year. You may use the
FEMA Map Service
Center address search feature to determine if your
property is located in a Flood Hazard Zone or simply contact us at
(270) 554-2737 for assistance.
Do I need an Elevation Certificate?
Anyone may voluntarily
purchase flood insurance for their home, but if you have recently
purchased or refinanced a home located in a Flood Hazard Zone with a
federally guaranteed mortgage, flood insurance in mandatory. When
obtaining flood insurance, most providers require an Elevation
Certificate prior to issuing a policy. If your insurance provider
already has an Elevation Certificate on file, it is most likely
transferable.
What is an Elevation Certificate?
FEMA has developed a
standardized Elevation Certificate form that is used to gather
elevation data for the purpose of accurately assessing flood risks
to structures located in Flood Hazard Zones. An Elevation
Certificate must be prepared and certified by a licensed Land
Surveyor. An Elevation Certificate contains: -Accurate determination of Flood Zone and Base
Flood Elevation (BFE) -Geographic location of structure (latitude &
longitude) -Ground elevations adjacent to structure
foundation -Type of structure and foundation system -Elevation of lowest storage level (crawlspace,
basement, slab, etc.) -Elevation of lowest living area -Elevation of mechanical equipment (furnace,
hot water heater, etc.) -Photographs of the structure
How do I obtain an Elevation Certificate?
In order to obtain an
Elevation Certificate, you or your agent must contact and retain the
services of a licensed Land Surveyor authorized by the appropriate
state regulatory agency to provided land surveying services in your
state.
Hunter Martin and
Associates, Inc. has professional, licensed Land Surveyors available
to provide Elevation Certificates throughout Western Kentucky and
Southern Illinois.
What information will the surveyor need from me?
Essentially, the only
information the surveyor will need is the address of the property
and the name and contact information of the person responsible for
executing the service contract and issuing payment.
Will the surveyor require access to my house?
If your house has a walkout
basement, a slab foundation, or an accessible crawlspace foundation,
the surveyor will most likely be able to complete the survey without
accessing the house.
If your house has a full
basement, the surveyor will need access to determine the elevation
of the basement floor and the square footage of the enclosed area.
How long will it take Hunter Martin to prepare my Elevation
Certificate?
An elevation certificate
can usually be provided within one week to ten days. If your
situation requires immediate action, we will make every effort to
accommodate your schedule.
How much does Hunter Martin’s Elevation Certificate Service cost?
Contact Stephen Chino, LS,
Elevation Certificate Manager at (270) 554-2737 for a free estimate.
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