System and method for performing flood zone certifications

Abstract

A system and method for performing flood zone determinations using scanned, georeferenced, digital raster map images. The user, to determine the flood zone classification of a particular property, first enters the street address, or full legal address, into a data processing system. The system determines, from the address, which raster map includes that particular property. The system retrieves that map, and utilizes georeferencing information to locate the property on the raster map. The user can visually verify the location of the property as marked on the displayed raster map, and can at that point examine the flood zone indications on the raster map. Further, the system can compare the geographic coordinates of the property against a data base of flood zone boundaries for an automated flood zone determination. The system can also generate, store, and produce flood zone certificates according to the flood zone determination.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for determining a flood zone classification of a location, comprising: 
 receiving a location entry indicative of a location; and    identifying at least a map that has the location thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising georeferencing the location.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising determining a longitude and a latitude for the location.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1    wherein identifying performs a point in polygon test.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1    wherein the map is a digital raster map.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising providing an image of the map for display.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising requesting a verification that the image of the map represents a correct map for providing a flood zone classification.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 1    further comprising requesting an indication that a flood zone certificate is desired.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 8    further comprising directing a device to provide a flood zone certificate.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 9    wherein the device is capable of providing a paper edition.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 9    wherein the device is capable of providing an electronic edition.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 9    wherein the flood zone certificate comprises at least a flood zone designation.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 9    wherein the flood zone certificate provides at least a description of the location.  
     
     
         14 . A method in a computer for determining a flood zone classification of a location, thereby turning a general computing platform into a specific computing device, the method comprising; 
 receiving a location entry indicative of a location; and    identifying at least a map that has the location thereon.    
     
     
         15 . The method of    claim 14    further comprising georeferencing the location.  
     
     
         16 . The method of    claim 14    further comprising providing an image of the map for display, and requesting an indication that the image of the map represents a correct map for providing a flood zone classification.  
     
     
         17 . The method of    claim 14    further comprises the act of directing a device to provide a flood zone certificate.  
     
     
         18 . A computer readable medium whose contents enable the determining of a flood zone classification for a location, by: 
 receiving a location entry indicative of a location; and    identifying at least a map that has the location thereon.    
     
     
         19 . The method of    claim 18    further comprising providing an image of the map for display, and requesting an indication that the image of the map represents a correct map for providing a flood zone classification.  
     
     
         20 . The method of    claim 18    further comprises directing a device to provide a flood zone certificate.