What can the Town provide?
As of November 2009, a policy has been instituted for the following. When a resident receives a notice from their insurance carrier, the Town will furnish them the Base Flood Elevation for their particular parcel. If they choose not to carry flood insurance, the property owner can take this Base Flood Elevation to a licensed land surveyor who can determine their Finished Floor elevation.
FEMA also requires that the Lowest Adjacent Grade on their parcel be determined. This will need to be determined by a surveyor, and the burden for determining these elevations will be borne by the individual homeowners.
The fees for this service will vary, and it is recommended that several surveyors be contacted for this cost. Please be advised that if a resident decides not to carry flood insurance, it is their decision, and not a guarantee that their home will not flood. It is also necessary to understand that even after an Elevation Certificate or Letter of Map Revision (LOMR-F) has been filed, the lending institution has the option of requiring flood insurance from a homeowner. The LOMR-R is an attempt by the homeowner to avoid flood insurance, if they choose.
In summary, the Town of Yountville will furnish a Base Flood Elevation when requested and will advise residents in obtaining an Elevation Certificate or LOMR-F, with the information supplied from the private sector.