What is a cost effective source of flood map info?

[Doug in NC]

I currently use Lochsheil flood map cd, but there has got to be a better way of locating flood map info. Although it beats buying a whole box of flood maps, properties are often difficult to locate when you don't know which map you should start looking in. Besides the online pay-as-you-go sources, is there a better program offered by some other company in cd form?

 

[Farm Gal]

Doug:

If you want to go cheap, you could also just buy the paper INDEX maps from FEMA, this would tell you which map to look up using the online cheap systems.

or: are you providing this service to ALL of your clients? on every appraisal? We very very seldom need to provide an actual copy of any of the maps to a client. Like one out of about 300?

We are still running from full paper here: we don't cover all that many counties. Once I discoved that the folded maps fit nicely into a cardboard magazine holder (Office max 2.99 for 6 pack) I have 8 counties neatly filed vertically in 4 boxes: with manila dividers between cities and counties, and the fronts of the boxes labled by county. Takes up a whole 16 linear inches of shelf space. I have a 'master map' on which I more or less traced the individual map boudaries, AND in blue ink, the flood zones, If it ain't in a flood zone on THAT map I don't even bother with opening the individual paper one just note the map panel and date and move ON!.

 

[Anonymous]

I also have a Lochsheil but it takes so long to load I go back to the paper maps. I keep my paper maps in an old check file cabinet that I bought at auction from an old bank. The maps fit perfectly. Of course I have never understood the value of reporting flood zones on the URAR.

 

[Joe Birrell (NY)]

There are several points to be made here. First, I agree that the good old-fashioned method of FEMA paper beats out all the others (that I've seen), until recently. The newest FEMA stuff is a major pain (at least in my area). The old maps were easy to read and identify. However, the newest edition is generally useless. It is an air photo with little to no deliniations with poorly labled streets and hard to see shading. It is so bad that we reverted
to the older maps. Now of course, some of the panels have different numbers than the older one. But, guess what ? We never get any calls
that we have given the wrong panel #. This makes me believe that lenders are relying 100% on their flood map cert companies, which proves the other point - FLOOD MAPS ARE A WASTE OF TIME. In 24 years I have never seen a flood zone affect value. It's like the census tract #.
Just more brain damage inflicted by the powers that be.

 

[Farm Gal]

:lol: you gots it: apparently many of our fellow appriasers are saying
"Get professional help"

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Interflood with Alamode works great for me! I have never had a problem and they keep the most current maps.

 

[Mountain Man]

Ditto with Tim, Interflood online service is what I use. Never had a problem and they are already digital, so I just import it right over into my appraisal.

 

[EDWARD BERRY]

Our two Counties do not change much-So I purchased DMS Flood Maps(www.floodmaps.com) on CD

They are just the paper maps scanned in, not the most elegant program, but usually all I need is the County index with the numbers.

About all it does is keep me from buying the new paper maps.

But that all I need-ed in Arkansas

 

[John M. Parker]

We are using www.floodmaps.com and have been very happy with the results and simplicity. Put in the address and if it can't find it you can search around, find the street, intersection etc. Dollar for dollar best investment I have made this year.

 

[Jeff Horton]

I am surprised no one has mentioned this site!

http://web1.msc.FEMA.gov/webapp/commerce/c...come.d2w/report

I just ran into my first address it couldn't find. This site was posted somewhere here on one of the boards. You can find actualy copies of the paper flood map. Of all the info I have gotten on this site this has to be the best!!

But like others I am getting to where I state "See Lenders Flood Cert" and have not been questioned yet.