Zone A is a flood zone without a detailed study. The published flood maps do not indicate the Base Flood Elevation (B.F.E.) or what is commonly referred to as the 100 yr flood elevation. To obtain the B.F.E. the flood plain administrator in the Parish or Community building permit office must request the B F E for the specific location from the Corps of Engineers. The BFE will then be place on a Flood Elevation Certificate which must be issued for any structure built in a flood zone to assure the finished floor is placed above the BFE. Be careful with mobile homes as there are some very specific and stringent requirements sometimes for Low Structure Chord Elevations on them. If the property you are considering is in a subdivision the plat for the development should indicate the BFE. In many cases flood zones are not a big deal other than placing the finished floor of any structures above the BFE and obtaining flood insurance if the structure is financed. I would recommend you compare the BFE to the elevation of the natural ground before you purchase it. This will indicate whether you place the finished floor of the structure 1-2ft or maybe 10-12 ft above natural ground. The height of the structure finished floor above the BFE will also have a significant influence on your flood insurance premium. I have recently heard some chatter that due to all the recent disasters such as Sandy in the northeast that FEMA may be increasing premiums particularly in coastal zones tremendously !!!!
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