According to Supervisor Spellman more and more homeowners are receiving the news that they are required to have flood insurance on their homes. Some Copperopolis homeowners, who insist that they have not received prior notice, are now in receipt of letters from the home mortgage lender assessing them the additional charge for flood insurance. Flood insurance that is provided by FEMA.
A Copper resident questioned Spellman why the County was not doing more for their residents regarding this issue. She pointed out that when building permits were issued for many of the homes in the now designated FEMA flood zone, they were issued by the County. “I would seriously hope the County would not be remiss in their duties and allow the construction of a home in a known flood zone.” She, among others, stated that they felt it was their Supervisor’s duty to be an advocate for the residents of his/her District when dealing with FEMA on this issue.
Spellman suggested attending a Board of Supervisor’s meeting to state publicly concerns regarding the flood zones. It was pointed out by residents that this proves difficult for those that work 9-5.
FEMA’s definition of a flood zone is “the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood.” They also have a flood zone X definition, “0.2-percent-annual-chance (or 500-year) flood.” This data is from their FEMA gov site. While there does not seem to be a set height a building is required to be, there is a mathematical equation used for each flood zone map for BFE (base flood elevations) and the relationship between the BFE and the structures elevation determines the flood insurance premium.
The majority of the homes on Lake Tulloch have received notices that they are required to carry flood insurance. However, the residents I have spoken with deny ANY communication with the County, FEMA, or insurance companies prior to receiving notices in the mail from their lenders assessing them with flood insurance premiums. Tri-Dam spokesperson Susan Larson stated that “Tri-Dam was not a participant in the mapping or identifying of any of these properties, although we would happily provide information about the elevation at the top of the dam-spillway elevation, policies regarding development limits for habitable structures etc.” Furthermore Susan said she understood that, “Supervisor Spellman is working with FEMA to have the maps reviewed, which may cause them to be re-evaluated and/or modified.” This was also stated by Spellman at the last open forum in Copperopolis and at this week’s forum in Copperopolis. Spellman felt he had an agreement with FEMA rep Kathleen Schaefer that flood insurance requirements would be “put on hold” until after FEMA had completed their fly over. However, this is not in writing.
Homeowners that now find themselves in FEMA flood zones that feel they are not correctly zoned can contact one or ALL of the following:
Kathleen Schaefer of FEMA (kathleen.schaefer@dhs.gov). dhs stands for Dept. of Homeland Security under which FEMA is organized, 510-627-7129
Robert Elhert of Congressman Dan Lundgren's office (Robert.Ehlert@mail.house.gov).
Darren Spellman Supervisor District 5 (dspellman@co.calaveras.ca.us), 209-786-4585
By, Charity Maness
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