There are 2 types of flood hazard areas shown on the Union County maps: the flood fringe and the floodway. Can I fill a low area on my property if it is in a flood hazard area?

The bank ultimately has the authority on whether or not they want to void the requirement for flood insurance. The LOMA if approved can be shown to the bank.

If there is justification that the map is incorrect, then you can have the engineer/surveyor apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) to FEMA for them to evaluate whether the map can be changed to show your house above the flood hazard. If the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) shows it in the flood hazard area but you believe the map is incorrect, you can hire a surveyor/engineer to see if an actual elevation survey of your house and surrounding topography is different from the FIRM. Is there anything that I can do?įirst check to see if your property is in the flood hazard area. I am refinancing my home and the bank is requiring flood insurance but my property has never flooded. Check the Flood Insurance Rate Maps available at the Union County Engineer’s office.Go to Union County’s MAPS GIS, enter a property address, turn on the aerial photography and floodplain layers.Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to create a “Firmette”, an overlay of your property with the flood map information.There are 3 ways you can check to see if your property is within a FEMA designated flood hazard area: Is there anything that I can do? Can I fill a low area on my property if it is in a flood hazard area? What are some factors to consider when building a new house or an addition to an existing house located in a flood hazard area? How can I tell if my property is located within a flood hazard area? How can I tell if my property is located within a flood hazard area? I am refinancing my home and the bank is requiring flood insurance but my property has never flooded. The homeowner’s insurance that most people carry does not cover flood losses. Anyone can purchase flood insurance even if you are not in a flood hazard area.The federal government provides flood insurance because private insurance companies cannot afford to do so or would have to charge exorbitant premiums to cover the probability for losses.25% of flood damage occurs where the maps do not show that a flood hazard area exists.This compares to 1-2% probability of having a fire. If your house is in a flood hazard area you have a 26% probability of being flooded during the life of a 30-year mortgage.Historically we have had a major flooding event 1 in 7 years. Flooding is Ohio’s #1 natural disaster.Union County Regulations and Formsįlood Hazard Permit Form Flood Damage Reduction Regulations Floodplain Regulation ResourcesįEMA: The National Flood Insurance Program FEMA: Flood Map Service Center (Official Flood Maps) ODNR: Floodplain Management Five Facts on Flooding and the National Flood Insurance Program Flood Hazard Permits are issued for any new construction or filling or storage of materials within these flood hazard areas. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) serve as the basis for the regulations. The regulations were adopted by the Union County Commissioners as required by the Federal Government. The Union County Engineer is the floodplain manager for the unincorporated areas of Union County and is responsible for the administration and enforcement of Union County's Flood Damage Prevention Regulations.

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