My husband and I are looking at buying a piece of property for our new home. It has a 100 year flood line that runs through part of the property. Can anyone explain to me what that is and how it affects where a home/structure can be built?

I'm no expert on this, but I did find this definition:

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/100-year%20flood

Here's how I read it: It is a bit of a gamble (just like most things in life!) If there's a 1-in-100 chance of that size flood in ANY given year, it may not happen for well over a hundred years--or it might happen two or three years in a row!

That said, what is the flood history in your area--and do you feel lucky? Have you worked the price of flood insurance into your overall expenses?

Best of luck!

Regards,

-k2 in CO

Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous

In the United States, the US ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS researches, maps and dilineates flood plains all across the US.

These data are used by insurance companies, zoning and building code boards, and emergency management agencies to examine and control, evaluate and recommend policies relating to flood control.

http://www.wes.army.mil/EL/flood/fl93home.html

Living in a 100 or 500 year flood plain can be as simple as paying $100 per year in Federal Flood Insurance.

I live in a town that is riddled with flood zones. I grew up in a flood zone, and knew enough to check before I buy the property. You can tell if you are in a flood zone by looking at a FIRM (flood insurance rate map) it is published by FEMA. Their should be some central repository in your area, mine was at the towns zoning office.

sometimes you need a surveyor to give an official make an official decision as to whether you really are in the flood plane. But what it comes down to is your lender will probably require you to purchase flood insurance, I've been pricing it and have gotten anywhere from 348.00 to 1500.00 per year.

In my case there have been changes made to the area (land fill etc) and my home is borderline, so for an additional 200.00 my surveyor will do site elevations and submit the proper paper work to get it out of the flood zone. This is no guarantee that your lender won't continue to require flood insurance but I feel it is worth a shot.

I really don't feel I am in an area that is likely to flood, like I said we have lots of flood zones. So I feel confortable trying to have it removed.

Wish I could find a policy for $100.00!!!

Julie