Zone A: Low-lying areas that are in close proximity to lakes, ponds and other large bodies of water.The most hazardous flood zones begin with the letters A or V, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and homeowners living in these areas are required to purchase flood insurance. Every zone is classified according to its level of risk and the potential severity of flood events. Since flood risks change over time due to shifting weather patterns, land development projects and natural erosion, it’s important to pay attention to all updates to FEMA’s flood maps to stay informed.įlood zones are geographic areas that face heightened risks of flooding, most of which are located near bodies of water.

Using these maps, homeowners can determine if their property is located in a high-risk area and whether they should get flood insurance. to help homeowners, government officials and insurance companies keep track of flood hazards. An arbitrary channel width of 3 meters is shown.FEMA regularly publishes detailed flood maps for over 20,000 communities across the U.S. This is an area inundated by 500‑year flooding an area inundated by 100‑year flooding with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile.Ī body of open water, such as a pond, lake, ocean, etc., within a community's jurisdictional limits, that has no defined flood hazard.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding with velocity hazard (wave action) no BFEs have been determined.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding with velocity hazard (wave action) BFEs have been determined.Īn area that is determined to be outside the 100- and 500‑year floodplains.ĥ00‑year Flood Discharge Contained in ChannelĪn area where the 500‑year flooding is contained within the channel banks and the channel is too narrow to show to scale. BFEs are not shown in this area, although they may be reflected on the corresponding profileĪn area designated as outside a 'Special Flood Hazard Area' (or SFHA) on a FIRM. An arbitrary channel width of 3 meters is shown. This is an area to be protected from the 100‑year flood by a Federal flood protection system under construction.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding, for which BFEs have been determined.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding (usually an area of ponding), for which BFEs have been determined flood depths range from 1 to 3 feet.Īn area that is located within a community or county that is not mapped on any published FIRM.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain), for which average depths have been determined flood depths range from 1 to 3 feet.Īn area inundated by flooding, for which BFEs or average depths have been determined.Īn area inundated by 500‑year flooding an area inundated by 100‑year flooding with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile or an area protected by levees from 100‑year flooding.Īn area that is determined to be outside the 100 and 500‑year floodplains.Īn area of undetermined but possible flood hazards.Īn area that includes the channel of a river or other watercourse (Usually adjacent to Zone AE).Īn area where the floodway is contained within the channel banks and the channel is too narrow to show to scale. An arbitrary channel width of 3 meters is shown.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding, for which no BFEs have been established.Īn area inundated by 100‑year flooding, for which no BFEs have been determined. No distinctions are made between the different flood hazard zones that may be included within the SFHA.ġ00‑year Flood Discharge Contained in ChannelĪn area where the 100‑year flooding is contained within the channel banks and the channel is too narrow to show to scale. This is an area inundated by 100‑year flooding for which BFEs or velocity may have been determined. Here's a comprehensive list of flood zone designations that we have gathered from many major insurance companies. The sheer variety of designations alone can often cause confusion when reviewing flood maps. Understanding the flood zone hazard designations without a suitable reference on hand can be a daunting task. This document explains the common flood hazard designations as provided by most major insurance companies.

Fema flood zones definitions