Anyone live in a split foyer?

[JodiR]

As you may know my house was flooded last week. I live in a split foyer. I needed to see the flood elevation certificate and so my insurance company also faxed a letter that was dated in 1993 when the house was built.

The last paragraph says "The lowest fully enclosed area will be faced with potential flood head of 2 feet or less. The enclosed area will be no greater than 3 feet and will not have to be flood proofed as it will not be used for living space."

First of all, the lowest level in my house is the second level (where I live and where there are 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living room). I do not have a crawl space. To me, this letter means that the second level would be above ground and then underground would be 3 feet of crawl space. I was hit with 6 feet of water. If the house was above ground then I may only have received 2 feet of water in the crawl space.

A contractor came in today to estimate some work, and he said that the lowest level should not be living area. It should be the crawl space. He mentioned the crawl space even before I did.

I don't know who to turn to. It seems like I was misinformed. What do you think? I have until Friday to ask for a flood buy out

 

[golfgal]

I am assuming since you live in Iowa that a split foyer means the same as here, walk into a foyer from the front door, go down 6-8 stairs to a family room, some bedrooms, bath, etc., go up 6-8 stairs to living room, dining area, kitchen, couple bedrooms, bath? Is that the same? If so, something is wrong on your elevation report. Do you have 2 levels or 3 levels in your home?

 

[JodiR]

You go in the front door to a small foyer. You can either go up or down. If you go down, then you are going under ground.

 

[Barb D]

What do you mean when you say the lowest level is the second level? Is the first level lower than the second level? Is there a full basement below the "lowest" level? Or are you calling the upper level the first level? I'm confused.

In any case, I'm so sorry for what you're going through. I can't begin to imagine.

 

[JodiR]

I know...it is confusing.

I have 2 levels....the upper and lower. Both are finished and living spaces. According to the engineer's letter, the lower level should have a crawl space under it. The lower level would be high enough so that the majority of the flooding would go to the crawl space.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Here is a link to the 2008 FEMA Flood Certificate manual.

if that link does not work the file is called "main edition zipped" on this page.

It is a zip file, save it to your computer then open the "COVER" pdf file.

Look for the "Lowest Floor Guide" contents link. It has instructions for floor determinations and further down are many diagrams. pick which best fits your home construction.

I am a land surveyor in illinois. I am working at home tonight, but if you have any questions PM me and I will try to help.

These are current regulations though, not exactly the same as the guidlines from '93.

what you want to determine, to start, are the elevations of the floors of your home and the uses of those floors. Then download the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) from www.fema.gov and find the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for your address. Here is a direct link to the map search page. click the "map search" button towrds the top to search by address.

when you find your map you can make a firmette ( a copy of the section you need) and save it.

Also try to find the high water elevation for this event. Once you have the floor elevations of your home you can just measure up to the water marks on the wall. even if you do not have the floor elevations, knowing the water level will be good info.

PM me and I will help find all that with you.

Mikeeee