Understanding FEMA Flood Zones
In every homeowner, buyer or seller’s quest for understanding flood risk (and the potential costs faced because of flood risk), there is inevitable confusion because flood zones and risk can be a confusing topic if you’re not an expert in the field.
Here we aim to give you the clearest understanding of Flood Zones and a breakdown of what the different zones are and how they are designated on our Flood Zone Determination Reports.
What are Flood Zones?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses flood zones to identify areas according to their varying flood risk levels, from low to moderate to high risk and in-between.
FEMA produces Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) which show the boundaries of each flood zone, which dictates a property’s (or, more importantly, a structure’s) flood status, and therefore flood insurance requirements according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
It’s important to note, NFIP mapping started in 1968 and was performed through the ‘70’s - nearly 50 years ago! Because land, development and environment changes over time, and also because of limitations to the original studies and mapping efforts, the zones and FEMA maps have and will continue to change over time. There may be many variables that contribute to a property’s estimated flood risk, making it possible for Flood Zone designation to be potentially challenged, amended or changed in some cases.
Everyone is in a Flood Zone, Not Everyone in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Every property is mapped within a flood zone of some kind. Everyone lives in an area with some flood risk—it’s just a question of what level of risk is present. The different zones illustrate whether you live in a high-risk, low-risk, or moderate-risk flood zone.
Some important points and definitions to know:
A Flood Zone is any zone delineated on a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
A Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is a high risk flood zone, and is the land area covered by the base flood on a FIRM. This is where flood insurance may be required depending on structure location.
Sometimes the SFHA is casually referred to as the “Flood Zone”, but these terms shouldn’t be confused. All SFHA’s are flood zones, not all flood zones are SFHA's.
Base Flood often referred to as the “100-year Flood”, which is a misnomer, is the area where flood has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Base Flood Elevation is the elevation, above sea level, at which Base Flood will inundate.
FEMA Flood Zone Descriptions
SFHAs
Zone A: Approximate Zone, no Base Flood Elevation (BFE) determined.
Zone AE (Old A1-A30): Detailed study, BFE determined.
Zone AH: Flood Depths of 1-3 feet (areas of ponding), usually shallow flooding. BFE determined.
Zone AO: Flood Depths of 103 feet (ares of sheet flow on sloping terrain). BFE depths determined.
Zone VE (Old V1-V30): Coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action) BFE determined.
Non-SFHAs
Zone X (Old C): Areas determined to be outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. Low-moderate flood risk.
Zone X 0.2% (Old B): Areas of 0.2% annual chance of flood. Moderate flood risk. Also known as X (shaded) or “500-year floodplain”.
MyFloodStatus Report Key
MyFloodStatus Flood Zone Determination Reports utilize a combination of superior data and expert analysis to help homeowners, investors and real estate professionals confirm or challenge official flood zone status.
Each report has clear mapping detail that shows the pinpoint-accurate structure location as it exists on FEMA’s map, with a clear overlay of color-coded Flood Zones.
Questions?
The full support of our expert team comes with every single MyFloodStatus report you order.
If you have questions about your MyFloodStatus report or the potential to challenge your flood zone status, simply call our Certified Floodplain Managers and provide your report order number.
If you are found to be in a Special Flood Hazard Area, requiring mandatory flood insurance, our team can also guide you on any potential options available to you for challenging your flood status.
Contact Us with any questions at 855-653-5663, or via online chat.
MyFloodStatus is a flood zone determination company. We do not provide flood insurance. Please consult with a flood insurance agent to understand flood insurance premium options. The information provided is for informative purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice or a legal opinion. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
