Flood
Zone A
Flood Zone A is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 1-percent annual
chance floodplains that are determined in the Flood Insurance Study by approximate
methods of analysis. Because detailed hydraulic analyses are not performed
for such areas, no Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this zone.
Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zone
AE and A1-A30
Flood Zones AE and A1-A30 are the flood insurance rate zones that correspond to the
1-percent annual chance floodplains that are determined in the Flood Insurance
Study by detailed methods of analysis. In most instances, Base Flood Elevations
derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals
within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zone
AH
Flood Zone AH is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of 1-percent
annual chance shallow flooding with a constant water-surface elevation (usually
areas of ponding) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet. The Base Flood
Elevations derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected
intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements
apply.
Flood Zone
AO
Flood Zone AO is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the areas of 1-percent
shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths
are between 1 and 3 feet. Average flood depths derived from the detailed hydraulic
analyses are shown within this zone. In addition, alluvial fan flood hazards
are shown as Zone AO on the Flood Insurance Rate Map. Mandatory flood insurance
purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zone AR
Flood Zone AR is the flood insurance rate zone used to
depict areas protected from flood hazards by flood control structures, such as
a levee, that are being restored. FEMA will
consider using the Zone AR designation for a community
if the flood protection system has been deemed restorable
by a Federal agency in consultation with
a local project sponsor;
a minimum level of flood protection is still provided
to the community by the system; and restoration of
the flood protection system is scheduled to begin
within a designated time period and in accordance
with a progress plan negotiated between the community
and FEMA. Mandatory purchase requirements
for flood insurance
will apply in Zone AR, but the rate will not exceed the rate for an unnumbered
Zone A if the
structure is built
in compliance with Zone AR floodplain management regulations.
For floodplain management
in Zone AR areas,
the property owner is not required to elevate an existing
structure when making improvements to the structure. However,
for new construction, the structure must be elevated (or
floodproofed for non-residential structures) so that the
lowest floor, including basement, is a minimum of 3 feet
above the highest adjacent existing grade, if the depth of
the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) does not exceed 5 feet at
the proposed development site. For infill sites, rehabilitation
of existing structures, or redevelopment of previously developed
areas, there is a 3-foot elevation requirement regardless
of the depth of the BFE at the project site.
The Zone AR designation
will be removed and the restored flood control system will
be shown as providing protection from the 1-percent annual
chance flood on the National Flood Insurance Program map
upon completion of the restoration project and submittal
of all the necessary data to FEMA.
Flood Zone
A99
Flood Zone
A99 is the flood
insurance rate
zone that corresponds
to areas within
the 1-percent annual chance floodplain that will be protected by a Federal
flood protection system where construction has reached specified statutory
milestones. No Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within this zone.
Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zone
V
Flood Zone
V is the flood
insurance rate
zone that corresponds
to areas within
the 1-percent
annual chance
coastal floodplains
that have additional
hazards associated
with storm waves. Because approximate hydraulic analyses are performed for
such areas, no Base Flood Elevations are shown within this zone. Mandatory
flood insurance purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zone
VE
Flood Zone
VE is the flood
insurance rate
zone that corresponds
to areas within
the 1-percent
annual chance
coastal floodplain
that have additional
hazards associated
with storm waves. Base Flood Elevations derived from the detailed hydraulic
analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. Mandatory flood
insurance purchase requirements apply.
Flood Zones
B, C, and X
Flood Zones
B, C, and X are low-risk
flood zones where flood insurance is available in participating communities
but is not required by federal regulation. These flood insurance
rate zones correspond
to areas outside the 1-percent annual chance floodplain, areas of 1-percent
annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot,
areas of 1-percent annual chance stream flooding where the contributing drainage
area is less than 1 square mile, or areas protected from the 1-percent annual
chance flood by levees. No Base Flood Elevations or depths are shown within
this zone. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones. Zone X is
used on new and revised maps in place of Zones B and C.
Flood Zone
D
Flood Zone
D designation is used for areas where there are possible but
undetermined flood hazards. In areas designated as Zone D, no
analysis of flood hazards has been conducted. Mandatory flood
insurance purchase requirements do not apply, but coverage is
available. The flood insurance rates for properties in Zone D
are commensurate with the uncertainty of the flood risk.
