• Section A adds items A8.d and A9.d to identify whether the enclosure, crawlspace, or garage has engineered flood openings.
• Section C now captures the lowest adjacent grade at lowest elevation of deck or stairs, including structural support. This information is required if the EC is being used to support a request for a LOMA or LOMR-F.  FEMA has tutorials to assist you in preparing a LOMA or LOMR-F.
• Instructions for Section A for items A.8.b-c and A.9.b-c have been revised, in part, to allow the height of flood openings to be determined from the interior grade or floor.
• Instructions for other sections have been clarified and expanded, as needed.
• Two new Building Diagrams have been added:
  • The new Diagram 1B is for raised-slab-on-grade or slab-on-stem-wall-with-fill single- and multiple-floor buildings. (Diagram 1 from the old Elevation Certificate is Diagram 1A on the new Elevation Certificate.)
  • The new Diagram 9 is for all buildings (other than split-level) elevated on a subgrade crawlspace.
• Elevation Certificate (includes 8 building type diagrams for determining reference levels) (PDF 306 KB,) - includes directions for completion of document.

The EC form and instruction packet are available by clicking on  "PDF" or "DOC" above or from the FEMA Distribution Center at 800-237-3239 (ask for FEMA Form 81-31).



EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

Information and staff assistance is available to answer many of your questions whether you own a structure or are considering building a structure in a special flood hazard area.  Some that you may find helpful include:

• Homeowners Guide
• Homeowners Brochure about Retrofitting
• Wet Floodproofing
• Constructing on Fill
• Foundation Construction
• Crawl Space Construction 
• Elevation Certificates 
• Sandbag Placement Guidelines
• City of Lake Elsinore - Be Prepared Flyer
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Community Rating System
• Storm Water Management and Flood Prevention
• Overview of the City of Lake Elsinore's Flood Zones (Map)

At FEMA's website you will find these and other informative brochures and technical bulletins to help you be prepared. 



FLOOD LOSS PREVENTION

The City has taken steps to help lessen flood losses.  As a result of the City's efforts, Lake Elsinore residents in Special Flood Hazard Areas are entitled to a 10% reduction in the premiums they pay for required flood insurance. 

The City has been instrumental in the construction of:

• flood channels - Leach Canyon Channel, Ortega Channel, McVicker Canyon Channel
• levees - Lake Elsinore Back Basin Levee, Rice Canyon Levee
• outflow and inflow channels - Lake Inlet Channel, Outlet Channel (aka Temescal Creek)

These drainage systems were designed to move potential flood waters safely to the Lake, but must be kept clear of obstructions to function.

The City has adopted laws to manage development in flood prone areas.  Those laws include review, approval and permit issuance of proposed development in the floodplain by the City Planning and Building Divisions and Engineering Department.

• Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 1372, (Chp. 15.64)
• Flood Plain Management Ordinance 1105, (Chp. 15.68)

There are steps you can take to lessen losses in the event of a flood.  The City has prepared handouts to assist you.

• Be Prepared, Be Water Wise 
• Flood Safety

Steps outlined in the handouts include keeping natural drainage courses, streams and drainage channels clear of structures and debris and how to report dumping or debris in these drainage systems.   Call 951-674-3124 to make a report. 

COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM

The City of Lake Elsinore is a member of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP), Community Rating System (CRS); the City’s current CRS rating qualifies the community for a 10% discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for NFIP policies issued or renewed in SFHA’s..

Everyone benefits from the City’s participation in CRS. Even when there is no flooding, the City’s public information and floodplain management efforts can improve the quality of life, protect the environment, make people safer, and save everyone money. If you live or own property in a SFHA, NFIP flood insurance premium rates are adjusted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the City’s activities that meet the goals of the CRS. More details about the CRS program are available on line at http://www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/manual200605/19crs.pdf.

FLOOD INSURANCE

This community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes federally backed flood insurance available for all eligible buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding, including a river flowing over its banks, a lake or ocean storm, and local drainage problems.

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 made the purchase of flood insurance mandatory for federally backed mortgages on buildings located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). If the building is in a SFHA, the Federal agency or lender is required by law to require the recipient to purchase a flood insurance policy on the building.

It generally takes 30 days for flood insurance to take affect, so plan ahead, don't wait for the 'rainy' season to apply.  More information on flood insurance can be found in a handouts prepared by the City.