Base Flood Elevation

From New Orleans Wiki

Base Flood Elevation or BFE as it is commonly referred to by the Federal Emergency Management Agency is a term heard frequently in post - Katrina New Orleans. This article will explain what BFE is, how it was determined, and why it is important to homeowners in flood prone areas.

In addition to this information, the article will give links to other informative sites.

[edit] What is Base Flood Elevation? (BFE)

The 100 year flood or Base Flood Elevation is the flood elevation that has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year in a given location. Pre-Katrina flood elevations in New Orleans were determined in 1984. Since Katrina new figures incorporating the last thirty five years are being used to calculate new BFE's known as Advisory Base Flood Elevations or ABFE's.

[edit] ABFE

When answering the question, "What is an Advisory Base Flood Elevation?" FEMA responded, "Advisory Base Flood Elevations are an interim product to assist communities in their rebuilding efforts while new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are being completed.

Many areas though elevated to the 1984 BFE standards, still flooded during Katrina and Rita. This caused concern as to weather the risk of rising water was higher than originally thought. To protect property owners from future devastation, FEMA has detailed a method to calculate ABFE. This guide has been implemented until such time that new more accurate flood hazard data is made available.

To view the complete responce by FEMA click here

An article published in the Nation's Buliding News voices New Orleanians displeasure with the new ABFEs.

President of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans Toni Wendel says, "[ABFEs] are too generalized and need to be based on more thorough research. This one-size-fits-all approach arbitrarily raises the flood elevations in areas that are already well above flood levels. It may also unnecessarily increase the costs of rebuilding homes that may not need to be elevated to the levels suuggested by the maps." The organization's Exeutie Vice President Jon Luther adds, "If they derived these elevation guidelines from the ruptured levies, then that is a problem," Luther said. "The BFEs are supposed to be based on a 100-year storm occurrence. Assuming the levees are repaired and will function properly in the future, then we should be building to a 100-year flood situation, not to a failed levee situation."

[edit] How is Advisory Base Flood Elevation inside levee protection Determined?

This chart, taken from FEMA, demonstrates the methods used to determine ABFE.

ABFE is based on either the BFE as stated by the FIRM, or the highest adjacent existing ground elevation at the building site, whichever is higher.

People having dufficulty should go to this site, locate their home, and use the map key to calculate their ABFE. People not familliar with FIRM maps should click here to get a quick tutorial.

[edit] The Importance of Base Flood Elevation

First and foremost, ABFEs are important to homeowners as protection from substantial damage that could be caused by other hurricanes comparable to Katrina and Rita.

Secondly, homeowners flood insurance policies will be affected by using the ABFEs. It will probably take several years before new Flood Insurance Rate Maps become effective, but homeowners who choose to adhere to the ABFEs now will probably see a reduction in their flood insurance premiums.

It is also important to note that those communities which do not require compliance with the ABFEs will not be eligible for FEMA funding for certain mitigation and recovery projects. To find out what programs will be affected click here

[edit] Lagniappe

For more information on BFE or to find out how high you will have to raise your home go to WDSU and click on the videos:

• How high should you elevate?
• Parish-by-Parish: Do you have to raise your house?

You should also read the FEMA Recovery Guidence Presentation on the city of New Orleans.