Flood Zone Determination
Posted: 19 October, 2023
Millions of properties each year are affected by flooding. Flooding can happen in any area, not just near bodies of water or high-risk areas. When purchasing your home weather, whether you are in a flood zone or not in a flood zone you should consider purchasing a policy to protect your property and belongings from a flood.
What is a flood zone?
Flood zones are geographic areas that FEMA has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. Each zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area. Homes located in zones designated by the letters B, C, and X are considered low to moderate risks, while homes designated by the letters A and V are high-risk zones. If your property is in an A or V flood zone flood insurance will be required by your mortgage company, while people who own homes in low or moderate flood zones have the choice to get flood insurance or remain uninsured if they prefer to.
Can Flood Zones Change?
Flood hazards change over time. How water flows and drains can change due to new construction and community development. Also, communities may build levees and dams, decreasing flood risk over time. The coastal flood zones across Florida are changing, and many property owners across Florida are seeing their flood risk go up or down for the first time in 40 years. These Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps recalculate the risk of what’s often called a 100-year flood.
How to Check if my property is in a flood zone:
The best website to check is directly with FEMA.
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
Enter your property address and it will bring you to a new page showing if you are in a flood zone.
For more information make sure to contact emilan Premium.
Written by: Premium Emilan