Flood Zones
What are flood hazard Zones and what do they mean?
The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is used in Regular Program communities by
lenders to determine the flood insurance requirements and by insurance agents to help
determine flood insurance rates for specific properties. The map includes areas within
100-year flood boundary, which are termed “Special Flood Hazard Areas” (SFHAs). A
“100 year flood” does not refer to a flood that occurs once every 100 years, but refers to a
flood level with a 1% or greater chance of being equaled or exceeded in ay given year.
Special Flood Hazard Areas
Zone A
Zone A1-A30
Zone AE
Zone AH
Areas of high risk where the Base Flood Elevations are not provided.
Areas of high risk where the Base Flood Elevations are provided.
Areas of high risk where the Base Flood Elevations are provided.
Shallow water depths (ponding) and/or unpredictable flow paths between
one and three feet. Base Flood Elevations are provided.
Zone AO
Shallow water paths (sheet flow) and/or unpredictable flow paths between
one and three feet occur. Base Flood Elevations not provided.
Zone A99
Where enough progress has been made on a protective system such as
dikes, dams and levees, to consider it complete for insurance rating
purposes. No Base Flood Elevations are provided.
Zone AR
High risk areas that result from the decertification of a previously
accredited flood protection system that is determined to be in the process
of being restored to provide base flood protection.
Zone V
An area which is inundated by tidal floods with velocity (coastal high risk)
Zone V1-V30 Identical to V zone, but Base Flood Elevations are provided.
Zone VE
Identical to V zone, but Base Flood Elevations are provided.
NOTE: If property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, it is a requirement that
flood insurance be purchased if there is a Federally backed loan.
Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas
Zone B, C, X Areas of moderate or minimal hazard subject to flooding from severe
storm activity or local drainage problem.
Zone D
An area where the flood hazard is undetermined and is usually very
sparsely populated.
NOTE: Flood insurance is not required in a Non-Special Flood Hazard Area,
however, 30% of all floods occur in these zones.