Flood Hazard Mapping and the National Flood Insurance Program

If you seek to remove a parcel or a structure from a special flood hazard area, wish to comply with a local floodplain ordinance and building code in order to entitle a project or to acquire a construction permit, or you simply want to meet requirements for obtaining the best possible flood insurance rate, Alaco can usually help.

We survey ground and building elevations, complete elevation certificates, prepare letter of map change (LOMC) requests, develop hydraulic models, and provide no-rise certifications as circumstances warrant.

This work is performed by, or under the responsible charge of, Lawrence M. Johmann, PE.

Lawrence is a California licensed civil engineer and a former certified floodplain manager who previously worked for more than a decade with the Alameda County Flood Control District. He has completed hundreds of flood hazard surveys, LOMC requests, and elevation certificates throughout the Bay Area.


Flood Hazard Review

A professional review of published flood hazards and the associated requirements for flood insurance and development standards is a smart part of any due diligence effort made before buying a property or planning a development project.  

Alaco can provide a client with a comprehensive flood hazard report tailored to a specific property or project to better understand, and to better prepare for, the often extra expense and effort needed to comply with the intricacies of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

LOMC Requests

FEMA will remove structures, portions of property, or entire parcels from a special flood hazard area (SFHA) if the statutes of the National Flood Insurance Program and the provisions of the community's local floodplain management ordinance are met. A request to remove property from an SFHA is done through a letter of map change (LOMC) application. 

Alaco assists clients by assessing existing and proposed property conditions and the requirements of the local ordinance to determine eligibility for removal and the actions needed in order to do so.

Elevation Certificates

An elevation certificate is a survey record of property attributes required for administering certain aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program. 

Pertinent property data are provided on an official FEMA elevation certificate form to be used to comply with building permit requirements, to properly rate a flood insurance policy,  or to request a letter of map change. Typically, the form must be completed by a licensed professional, such as an engineer or land surveyor. Alaco's rates for completing Elevation Certificates are competitively priced.

Be advised:  FEMA has temporarily suspend processing applications for Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs) in most California counties and cities (including Alameda County and all the cities within) effective July 1, 2023.  The suspension may last as long as five years. 

Flood Hazard Mapping

When new development is proposed in an area identified as a special flood hazard (SFHA), it may be necessary to examine and report on the development's impact on the SFHA boundary and base flood elevation.

Local ordinance and common sense dictate that new development should not adversely impact neighboring properties. This can be evaluated using a model to simulate the project's pre-project and planned post-project hydraulic conditions. Alaco can prepare such models when feasible for the client.

No-Rise Certification

Statutes of the National Flood Insurance Program dictate that any development proposed in a regulatory floodway must not cause any rise in the base flood elevation.

Any development in a floodway that could possibly raise the base flood elevation must be certified by a professional engineer that it will not. This is typically demonstrated using a model to simulate the project's pre-project and planned post-project hydraulic conditions. Alaco can produce models and provide certifications as circumstances warrant.

Alaco Engineering is not an insurance agency, but we are often asked flood insurance related questions. The subject can be frustrating as the National Flood Insurance Program is complex and continually evolving. Regulations and rates are typically updated every six months.

To assist those looking for answers, we have compiled Internet links and other information that should be useful for learning about, seeking out, and ultimately obtaining the most affordable coverage to satisfy one's need.



Minor Subdivisions (Parcel Maps) and the California Home Act (SB-9)



Construction Specifications & Special Provisions for Local Agency Projects

Alaco assists local agencies with the preparation of construction specifications and special provisions for public works projects, such as the recently completed  Hesperian Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project. Other recent improvement projects involving Alaco participation include: Castro Valley's Santa Maria Avenue, Stanton Avenue and the intersection of Villareal and Greenville; Cherryland's West Blossom Way; Fairview District's East Avenue; San Leandro's 164th Avenue; as well as the refurbishment of storm water pump stations in Ashland and Pleasanton.

Hesperian Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony  |  Alameda County Public Works Agency (ACPWA)

Pictured left to right:  Tristan Rodgers (ACPWA), Carmen Garcia (ACPWA), Jeff Wang (BKF Engineers), Alex Croskey (BKF Engineers), Dan Schaefer (BKF Engineers), Tam Nguyen (ACPWA), Charles Justus (ACPWA), Daniel Woldesenbet (Director, ACPWA), Lawrence Johmann (Alaco Engineering, SLEB subconsultant to BKF Engineers), James Lai (ACPWA), Andrew Peters (Ghilotti Construction Co.), Halimah Anderson (ACPWA), Amanda Real (ACPWA)     Photo by Paul Kuroda  2023-Feb-4