Elevation Certificates, Flood Maps & Real Talk from the City's Floodplain Manager Melanie Barrera

Floodplain management often feels like a maze for surveyors, with complex rules and technical details that can delay projects and frustrate clients. But what if you could get a clear, practical view from the city’s floodplain manager herself? That’s exactly what happened at the May 2026 TSPS Chapter 12 lunch and learn session, where Melanie Barrera, CFM, Floodplain & Coastal Protection Manager for the City of Corpus Christi, shared real-world insights that surveyors can use immediately.

If you missed our May lunch and learn, here's the short version: it was exactly the kind of meeting that makes you wish you'd cleared your calendar!

What Makes This Session Stand Out

Melanie did not deliver a generic presentation about floodplain rules or the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Instead, she brought the exact review comments and common mistakes she encounters when reviewing elevation certificates (ECs) and floodplain permits. This approach gave surveyors a rare peek behind the scenes, showing what causes delays and how to avoid them.

Melanie also provided a business development tip that more than a few members hadn't considered:

The elevation certificate you already completed might qualify your client for a LOMA, and they probably have no idea!

If the Lowest Adjacent Grade on an EC you've prepared is at or above the Base Flood Elevation, that property owner may no longer be required to carry flood insurance. That's a real financial benefit for your client and a natural add-on conversation to have. Melanie walked through exactly how to identify those opportunities and what the FEMA eLOMA process looks like in practice.

Building a Strong Partnership with the City

Beyond technical tips, Melanie emphasized the importance of building a collaborative relationship between surveyors and the city’s floodplain office. She is approachable and encourages ongoing communication to resolve issues quickly.

Surveyors who develop this partnership can:

• Get early feedback on tricky cases.

• Understand local floodplain nuances that might not be obvious from maps alone.

• Stay updated on changes to floodplain regulations or mapping.

  
  

She's also available to present for other groups. If your firm does regular work in Corpus Christi floodplains, or if you have a team that could use a deeper dive on elevation certificates, LOMAs, or the city's new Forerunner public portal, reach out to her directly:

Melanie Barrera, CFM

Floodplain & Coastal Protection Manager

City of Corpus Christi Public Works – Stormwater

📧 melanieb2@corpuschristitx.gov

📞 361-826-3890

Floodplain management can be complex, but with clear information and strong partnerships, surveyors can navigate it more confidently. Melanie’s session offered practical, actionable advice that surveyors can apply immediately to avoid delays, uncover new business opportunities, and support their clients better.

Join us at the Next Meeting!

Sessions like this one are why Chapter 12 meetings are worth showing up to. You'll walk away with contacts, practical knowledge, and occasionally, a tip that could genuinely help your clients or grow your practice.

Chapter 12 meetings are open to anyone who would like to join, and if you are a member, earn free PDHs for your professional license.

Watch our website and your email for details on our next event. If you have a speaker suggestion or a topic you'd like to see covered, reach out to a board member, we'd love to hear from you!