Call or double check before you build.  You could be in a flood plain.

That's the word from Lewis County officials like Presiding Commissioner Nancy Goehl. She has concerns some residents are building and improving homes in flood plains, without following the proper FEMA guidelines and certification process. 

- Homeowners must know the flood level elevation of the site.

- The lowest entryway has to be at least one foot above the current known flood level.

- A surveyor has to certify the levels.

- Then the resident has to apply through the county for a FEMA permit to build and get an elevation certificate. 

This is for new construction and for any improvements to a building by 50 percent.

In counties without planning and zoning departments, normally lenders or insurance salespeople direct county residents to get the FEMA elevation certificates and building plans associated with the building location during the lending or insurance sales process. But this is not happening in all cases in the county.  That's why Goehl says it's important folks check for themselves, to ensure that they are following FEMA guidelines.

Residents can check FEMA flood Plain maps online at www.msc.fema.gov or by calling the Lewis County Courthouse for help at 573-767-5476.

Goehl says some people don't realize Federal flood plains extend along some rivers and creeks like the Fabius or Troublesome Creek in Lewis County...not just along the Mississippi River.  See list of some Lewis County creeks and rivers which have FEMA assigned flood plains associated with them below:

The penalties for building or making improvements to a home in a flood plain without following the rules could be devastating to the entire county.

- Goehl says if FEMA officials find someone not in compliance in the unincorporated areas of the county, it could cause *everyone* in those areas of the county to lose their flood insurance.

- FEMA would also not help the county in the event of a disaster.

- There are also stiff fines for a homeowner.  Folks out of compliance would be fined 100 dollars a day from the first day dirt is turned on the non-compliant construction until the violations are corrected.  Their insurance on that home would be invalid.

Goehl said, "It could be financially devastating to someone. One hundred dollars a day adds up over time. It’s better to find out you’re not in a flood plain than to build out of compliance."

- Lenders (banks or credit unions lending money to the violating project) could face losing F-D-I-C coverage for issuing loans to a non-FEMA approved project.

Here is a list of some Lewis County creeks and rivers which have FEMA assigned flood plains associated with them:

• Wyaconda River
• North Fabius River
• South Fabius River
• Middle Fabius River
• Troublesome Creek
• Little Grassy Creek