February 3, 2012
FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) Is Finalized
On November 16, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mailed their Letter of Final Determination (LFD) to Collier County. The DFIRM has now been declared final for Collier County and will become effective for flood insurance purposes on May 16, 2012. During the intervening 6-month “compliance” time period, flood insurance policies will continue to be based upon the current Flood Insurance Rate Map which has an effective date of November 17, 2005.
Final DFIRM with the flood zones Note: The maps and data contained herein are a representation of compiled public information. They are believed to be an accurate and true depiction for their stated purpose, but Collier County and its employees make no guarantees, implied or otherwise as to the accuracy or completeness. We therefore do not accept any responsibilities as to its use.
FEMA Letter of Final Determination
Flood Insurance Study Report
There are two dates that are important for property owners now that the LFD has been issued:
1. March 30, 2012 Effective for Building Permits – The Board adopted the new DFIRM for permitting and regulatory compliance on January 24, 2012, with a declared effective starting date of March 30, 2012. Between November 16, 2011 and March 30, 2012, applicants will need to comply with the current “old” FEMA flood zone requirements unless the “new” DFIRM flood zone requirements are more restrictive.
2. May 16, 2012 Effective for Flood Insurance Requirements –The DFIRM will be published with effective date label showing May 16, 2012.
- Flood insurance requirements affect structures that are located within any flood zone that starts with the letter “V” or “A” and there are federal dollars associated with the structure (typically a federally insured mortgage or a federal grant). If there are no federal dollars associated with the structure, there is no federal mandate for the purchase of flood insurance.
- A lender has the legal right to require flood insurance coverage regardless of the structure’s flood zone.
- If an owner desires to prevent an existing structure, that is currently located in flood zone X but will be located in any flood zone starting with the letter “V” or “A”, from having a flood insurance requirement, they can apply for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) between November 16, 2011 and May 16, 2012. If the structure meets all of the LOMA requirements and FEMA is able to process the application by May 16, 2012, the approved LOMC will be issued on May 17, 2012 and thus keep the structure within the flood zone X classification. To learn how to file for a LOMC, see the “Change Your Floodplain Designation to Zone X (Letter of Map Change)” section below.
A schedule of this mapping effort is shown below.
For more information about the FEMA flood insurance rate map program, visit: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/firm.shtm
National Flood Insurance Map Amendment Process Presentation
FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Map (DFIRM) Update and Adoption Timeline
| Preliminary DFIRM received from FEMA |
July 13, 2010 |
| DFIRM Viewer Posted on County Website |
August 16, 2010 |
| Public Meetings to begin review process |
August 16-20, 2010 |
| FEMA Notification of Planned Newspaper Publications |
October 25, 2010 |
| First Planned Newspaper Publication |
October 29, 2010 |
| Second Planned Newspaper Publication |
November 5, 2010 |
| Start of 90-day Comment and Appeal Period |
November 5, 2010 |
| End of 90-day Comment and Appeal Period |
February 3, 2011 |
| Review and Resolution of Submitted Appeals |
November 15, 2011
|
| Letter of Final Determination by FEMA |
November 16, 2011
|
| New DFIRM Becomes Effective for Building Permits |
March 30, 2012 |
| New DFIRM Becomes Effective for Flood Insurance |
May 16, 2012 |
Basins included in the BCC authorized appeal of the Preliminary DFIRM based on new topographic information 11/4/2010
Flood Risk Map Hotline Available
A special information hotline has been established to answer questions about the new, preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents can call 239-252-2942, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with questions about the DFIRMs.
The new DFIRMs are very different in appearance from the current FEMA flood mapping in that they identify the risk from coastal storm surge flooding as well as rainfall from the coastline to roughly State Route 29. Many areas of the county that had been exempt under previous flood zone mapping are now included. Those who have a federally backed mortgage or plan to refinance with a federally backed lender, may be required to purchase flood insurance if they find that their home is newly shown in a Special Flood Hazard Area on the updated maps.
Also on this web page, you can view your existing flood zone designation and compare it to the proposed flood zone designation under the new FEMA maps.
For more information, visit
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/firm.shtm
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE FEMA DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP FOR COLLIER COUNTY
Frequently Asked Questions
Elevation Certificate and Surveyor Information
If you are going to need Flood insurance or desire to remove your home from the Flood insurance requirement you will need an Elevation Certificate prepared by a Florida Licensed Surveyor. The following links will provide some useful information.
Information to consider when hiring a surveyor to prepare an elevation certificate
A list of Surveyors and Surveying Businesses in the area (3/1/2012 update)
FEMA Elevation Certificate Form and Instructions (Note the form has a March 31, 2012 expiration date. FEMA is working on an update, this form will continue to be acceptable. We will post update when FEMA provides it.)
ATTENTION SURVEYORS: Time Extension for Use of Elevation Certificate
Change Your Floodplain Designation to Zone X (Letter of Map Change)
FEMA uses the term Letter of Map Change (LOMC) to collectively reference the processes for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision Based Upon Placement of Fill (LOMR-F). If a property owner has a valid elevation certificate for a structure and desires to remove the structure from the FEMA-designated floodplain, there are application forms from FEMA for a LOMA and a LOMR-F. In order to be considered eligible for either the LOMA or LOMR-F, both the lowest floor elevation and the lowest adjacent grade elevation (shown on the Elevation Certificate) must be equal to or higher than the FEMA-designated flood elevation for that location.
Applications for Floodplain Map Changes
SPECIAL ALERT!!
Due to an excessive number of applications expected to be received by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for floodplain map changes from Collier County residents, FEMA has advised the county that a different address should be used to assist with processing the paperwork more efficiently.
If you intend to mail a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision Based Upon Placement of Fill (LOMR-F) application to FEMA based upon the new floodplain mapping Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM), please do not send the application to the LOMC Clearinghouse address that is listed on the application form. To better organize and handle the volume of anticipated applications, FEMA’s review contractor has requested that the applications be sent directly to them at the following address:
Ms. Susan Gray
Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
3601 Eisenhower Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22304
Please send all applications to this address until further notice is provided to the county.
The following FEMA application forms are used to apply for the LOMA or LOMR-F. Please read the instructions carefully to determine which form to use for your specific structure.
FEMA MT-1; FEMA MT-EZ; FEMA MT-2
To obtain the date of the building permit approval, call the Collier County Building Department at (239) 252-5866. This date is very important to verify when the fill material was placed on the property. If a building site was ever located within a FEMA-designated flood zone starting with the letter “V” or “A” before the date of fill placement for the approved building permit, the owner must use the LOMR-F application and does not qualify for the LOMA application.
Additional information links to help you better understand the LOMA process and the availability of an electronic submittal of the LOMA are shown below.
Flow Chart for LOMA Process; eLOMA
Guidance for engineers and surveyors regarding eLOMA for multi-family
Updated April 18, 2012