These non-regulatory tools are called Flood Risk Products. With these new and updated maps, communities can make floodplain management decisions based on the best available scientific information.įEMA is working with local community officials to produce additional data and hazard mitigation tools that will enable more strategic emergency preparedness, planning and risk reduction in coastal communities. Through Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) , FEMA is updating the nation’s coastal Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs, or flood maps), where appropriate, and publishing new flood maps of densely populated areas that were not previously mapped. The Property Appraisers GIS Digital Flood Map can be used to aid in identifying if your property is located in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area.

Zone X is the area determined to be outside the 500-year flood and protected by levee from the 100-year flood.Īrea of undetermined but possible flood hazards.To help coastal communities understand and reduce their risks, FEMA has initiated coastal flood hazard studies for 100% of the populated coastline. Zone C may have ponding and local drainage problems that don't warrant a detailed study or designation as base floodplain. B Zones are also used to designate base floodplains of lesser hazards, such as areas protected by levees from the 100-year flood, or shallow-flooding areas with average depths of less than one foot or drainage areas less than 1 square mile.Īrea of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as above the 500-year flood level. The coastal area subject to a velocity hazard (wave action) where BFEs are provided on the FIRM map.Īrea of moderate flood hazard, usually the area between the limits of the 100-year and 500-year floods. The coastal area subject to a velocity hazard (wave action) where BFEs are not determined on the FIRM map. The base floodplain that results from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is in the process of being restored to provide a 100-year or greater level of flood protection. BFEs are provided.Īrea to be protected from base flood by levees or Federal Flood Protection Systems under construction. Base flood depths (feet above ground) are provided. The base floodplain with sheet flow, ponding or shallow flooding. On newer FIRMs, AE Zones are the same as A1-A30 Zones (i.e., BFEs are shown). BFEs are shown on a FEMA map that includes any of these zones. Known as numbered A Zones (e.g., A7 or A14). As outlined in 44 CFR 65.10, to achieve accreditation, a levee system must meet certain requirements to demonstrate that it is constructed high enough and strong enough to reduce the. This is often called an unnumbered A Zone or an approximate A zone. Zone D is the resulting designation on the flood map, to indicate that while flood risk remains, the probability of that flood risk has not been quantified. To better understand what each flood zone means for a property’s likelihood of flood, FEMA maps often use the terminology of. D labels undetermined flood zones, where flood risk exists but is unmeasured.

Six types of 'A' zones are described below.īase flood elevations (BFE) are not determined. High risk areas are started by either A or V, low and moderate flood risk areas begin with B, C, or X. Please see the table below for explanations of these zones. Whatever the area shown on a FEMA FIRM map, it may include several types of floodplain zones, each designated by a letter or a combination of a letter and number(s). FEMA is the official public source for flood maps for insurance purposes: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer NOAA is responsible for producing flood forecast maps that combine precipitation data with USGS streamflow data: National Weather Service - Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service River Forecasts Long-Range River Flood Risk Coastal Inundation Dashboard.

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