What Are Flood Zones?

WHAT ARE FLOOD ZONES?

Flood zones are land areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Each flood zone describes that land area in terms of its risk of flooding. Everyone lives in a flood zone -- it's just a question of whether you live in a low-, moderate- or high-risk area.

ZONE EXPLANATION

X
An area that is determined to be outside the 100- and 500-year floodplains

A
Areas of 100-yr flood; base flood elevations and flood hazard factors not determined.

AO
Areas of 100-yr shallow flooding where depths are between one (1) and three (3) feet; average depths of inundation are shown, but no flood hazard factors are determined

AH
Areas of 100-yr shallow flooding where depths are between one (1) and three (3) feet; base flood elevations are shown, but no flood hazard factors are determined.

A1-A30
Areas of 100-yr flood; base flood elevations and flood hazard factors determined.

A99
Areas of 100-yr flood to be protected by flood protection system under construction; base flood elevations and flood hazard factors not determined.

B
Areas between limits of the 100-yr flood and 500-yr flood; or certain areas subject to 100-yr flooding with average depths less than one (1) foot or where the contributing drainage area is less than one square mile; or areas protected by levees from the base flood.

C
Areas of minimal flooding.

D
Areas of undetermined, but possible, flood hazards.

V
Areas of 100-yr coastal flood with velocity (wave action); base flood elevations and flood hazard factors not determined.

V1-V30
Areas of 100-yr coastal flood with velocity (wave action); base flood elevations and flood hazard factors determined.


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