I’m scheduled to inspect a home in a FEMA Zone AE which is described as “there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage.” This area was wiped-away in 1972 by the failure of multiple mining impoundment-dams. Hundreds died or were injured, and thousands were left homeless.
Is this FEMA Flood Zone information within the scope of an inspection? How should I approach this in the report?
No, it is not in the scope of any home inspection standard. But, if you know about it and are aware of it, it would be best to say something in your report that your client should consult with their real estate agent and insurance company due to the known FEMA Flood Zone rating of the area. While this will not go over very well with the real estate agents, the client needs to know. Big chance they will not be able to get insurance on the home!
Seems to me that information should be up to the RAs involved, the LA an BA both. Those agents, if they did their job, should have brought up insurability.