Local officials are currently inspecting homes in Missouri to determine if damage to the structures caused by flooding between April 28 and May 11, 2017 is considered “substantial.”
“Substantial damage” is a specific determination made by local floodplain administrators. It applies to a severely damaged home or other structure in a floodplain where the community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the home or structure is damaged. If the cost of repairing a home is 50 percent or more of its pre-disaster market value, it is considered substantially damaged.
For example, if your home’s market value before a disaster was $200,000 and repairs are estimated to cost more than $100,000, the home is determined to be substantially damaged. Land value is not considered as a factor in determining if the home is or is not substantially damaged.
After your home is inspected, other information, such as property valuations and estimated costs to repair the home, will be used to calculate the percentage of damage to the structure.
FEMA staff are assisting local officials in assessing damaged buildings. All FEMA personnel have photo identification badges. If you don’t see one, ask for it. FEMA does not make a determination of substantial damage and does not notify you of a damage determination.
Rebuilding after a flood provides an opportunity to make buildings stronger and safer. The primary goal is to reduce risk of loss from future floods.
You have three options if your home is in a floodplain and the local officials determine it has been substantially damaged:
- Elevate the building to a height determined by local officials;
- Relocate the structure outside the floodplain; or
- Demolish the home.
If you decide to rebuild the structure, it may have to be elevated or changed in some other way to comply with local floodplain regulations and avoid future flood losses. If the structure is non-residential, flood-proofing might be required.
You may need permits to repair or rebuild substantially damaged properties to comply with local codes and ordinances. You need to contact your local floodplain management or building officials to apply for permits for things like plumbing, electrical system, foundation and structural repairs.
If you are an NFIP policyholder whose home was damaged extensively by flooding, FEMA encourages you to ask your claims adjuster or insurance agent about Increased Cost of Compliance coverage. ICC coverage is a resource for flood insurance policyholders who need additional financial help to meet rebuilding requirements after the damage caused by the recent storms. Policyholders may receive up to $30,000 through ICC to help meet the cost of complying with building codes and ordinances.
For more information on general flood insurance questions, contact your local floodplain administrator, NFIP at 800-427-4661, or your insurance agent. If you use TTY, you can call NFIP at 800-427-5593. You can also email FloodSmart@dhs.gov to request information in a language other than English. Information also is available at www.FEMA.gov and www.FloodSmart.gov.
June 28, 2017
FEMA DR-4317-MO
FS-007