Letter of Map Amendment-Out as Shown (LOMA-OAS)

The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the federal agency charged with managing floodplains throughout the nation. Due to the recent changes in Sedgwick County’s floodplain maps, many properties in Valley Center are now located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). These changes to the SFHA mean that properties that were not previously in designated zones, but now are, are required to purchase flood insurance by their mortgage lender.

Homeowners can file a Letter of Map Amendment-Out as Shown (LOMA-OAS) if a portion of their property is located within the SFHA, but their actual structure does not touch the SFHA. Please see the example below on an eligible property and an ineligible property to apply for a LOMA-OAS:

LOMA-OAS IMAGE
The following instructions (see link below) are provided to assist homeowners in filing a LOMA-OAS with FEMA. It is important to note that FEMA will make the final determination on whether or not to approve the LOMA-OAS. The issuance of a LOMA-OAS eliminates the federal flood insurance purchase REQUIREMENT as a condition of obtaining federal or federally backed financing. However, the mortgage lender retains the prerogative to require flood insurance as a condition of providing financing, regardless of the location of the structure. The property owner also needs to be reminded that there is still a risk of the property’s being flooded; it has been just reduced, NOT REMOVED.

After reading the instructions, should you need further assistance or have additional questions, please contact the Community Development Department at 316-755-7310. 
  1. LOMA-OAS Instruction Packet