Understanding Flood Zones

Flooding is a serious threat to property owners across the United States. In 2021, there were over 500,000 flood insurance claims filed, totaling over $10 billion in damage. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your home and belongings from flooding, including understanding flood zones.

What is a flood zone?

A flood zone is an area that is at risk of flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) uses flood zones to identify areas according to their varying flood risk levels. FEMA produces Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) which show the boundaries of each flood zone.

What are the different types of flood zones?

There are five main types of flood zones:

• A Zone: This is the highest risk flood zone. There is a 1% chance of flooding each year in an A zone.
• V Zone: This is also a high risk flood zone. There is a 0.2% chance of flooding each year in a V zone.
• B Zone: This is a moderate risk flood zone. There is a 2% chance of flooding each year in a B zone.
• C Zone: This is a low risk flood zone. There is a 5% chance of flooding each year in a C zone.
• X Zone: This is an undetermined risk flood zone. There is no data available to determine the flood risk in an X zone.

What do I need to do to find out my flood zone?

You can find your flood zone by visiting the FEMA Flood Map Service Center website. You can also contact your local floodplain administrator.

What do I need to do if I live in a flood zone?

If you live in a flood zone, you are required to purchase flood insurance if you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

What can I do to protect my home from flooding?

There are a number of things you can do to protect your home from flooding, including:

• Install flood vents in your foundation. Flood vents allow water to flow out of your foundation, but they prevent water from flowing in.
• Raise your appliances and furniture off the ground. This will help to protect them from flooding.
• Install sump pumps in your basement. Sump pumps will remove water from your basement if it floods.
• Buy flood insurance. Flood insurance will help to cover the cost of repairs if your home floods.

By understanding flood zones and taking steps to protect your home, you can help to reduce your risk of flooding. Use the below tool to determine what flood zone you are located in.