FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map:  What Is and Where You Can Find One

Flood insurance is a mandatory part of owning a home. FEMA flood maps are an important aspect of understanding how much coverage you need and what your property's risk is for flooding.

To find a map, you can either search your address at https://mscapps.fema.gov/portal/, or call FEMA’s Mapping Service Center at (770) 2-2600 to order one by phone or fax. Here are more details on how to obtain flood insurance and read flood maps: http://www.floodsmart.gov/docs/FloodInsurance/flood/2012_What_is_FEMA_Flood_Mapping.pdf

If you want to know the flood zone status of a property, you need to look up the address and get an official map. FEMA flood maps are not true “plans” as they do not designate building elevations, lot lines or setbacks. They are simply a map that is meant to depict the flood hazards in regards to risk for flooding. The main purpose of FEMA maps is to show areas that are at risk for flooding and this can be used in conjunction with other information sources such as official building plans, prior sale contracts or real estate tax records.

What is the difference between a community’s flood zone and a FEMA flood zone? A community flood zone is a designation set by a local zoning authority and is regulated by local laws. A community’s flood zone has nothing to do with what can or cannot be built on the property in terms of construction standards. FEMA flood zones also are set by local zoning authorities to help guide building regulations but FEMA requires that certain standards be met in these zones. These include minimum elevation standards for structures within floodplains and building techniques that must be used when buildings are reconstructed in these areas.

The map set out by FEMA is also a minimum. It is not mandatory that every property be rebuilt in these zones. In fact, many properties are not rebuilt in these areas because they are located in the coastal flood zone and they typically are not built on.

As long as FEMA flood zones do not exceed the minimum elevation standards, there is no legal requirement for rebuilding structures within them. The main purpose of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its maps is to create awareness of the potential dangers of flooding for homeowners to determine their insurance needs - including flood insurance - before rebuilding in flood-prone areas. FEMA flood maps are also a useful tool for municipalities and zoning authorities for new development and redevelopment planning.

For a complete listing of the flood zones in the U.S., including table of contents, visit: http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/195732, including links to FEMA maps produced prior to 2012. Please note that there are significant changes in flood zone designations published by FEMA since 2012. For more information on these updates, please see the Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to Flood Zones page at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/163376, as well as the accompanying site briefing.

If you would like to see the FEMA flood maps of your city or state before construction starts or if you would want a copy of a new flood map, please contact the local zoning office for your city or state and request copies of their official maps pursuant to their state's Development Code. In some cases, you may need to file a freedom of information request with the local agency for a copy of their most recent flood map. This will help make sure that your building plans are compliant with the latest Federal Flood Hazard Act (FHWA) requirements and also keeps track of any changes in your community’s flood zone designation.

FEMA flood maps can be a very useful tool. If you are buying or selling property, you may want to know if there have been any changes in your community’s flood zone designation. On the other hand, you may be planning to rebuild after a devastating flood event, and you want to make sure that your property is rebuilt in the appropriate flood zone. You need the assistance of a FEMA approved professional for this type of work so that you comply with all local and federal codes.

The Property Appraiser typically also maintains copies of city or county flood maps for their jurisdiction as well as newer versions of FEMA flood maps which they will provide on request.

Beware of Non-Approved Maps

There are many non-approved (and non-FEMA) maps that have been circulated as flood maps and are not entitled to be considered valid in any way. Unfortunately, these maps are often found to be quite useful in the context of land searches and real estate transactions. Unfortunately, they are not valid for legal purposes - including insurance purposes or building codes. The best option is to get a copy of an approved FEMA map before making any decisions to purchase or build on property.

FEMA Flood Maps and Flood Insurance Rates

FEMA flood maps show the zones that have received these "significant flood hazards" designations by FEMA since 1975. They also show the flood zone boundaries at which flood insurance rates change. This is because, as elevation increases from the base flood elevation, the risk of flooding in that area also increases. At +5 feet above base flood elevations, the risk of flooding is 100-year frequency, meaning there is only a 1%-chance of this level of flooding in any given year. In some areas, these major flood zones have different names and are not designated with a zone number. For example, on Long Island Sound Front properties in Connecticut map 11A shows how some areas have received a CZ -- Coastal Zone designation -- which requires different criteria for building standards and financing tools. For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions About Changes to Flood Zones page at https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/163376, as well as the accompanying site briefing.

The map in question is not a FEMA approved map for building. It also does not show or provide flood insurance rate information nor does it provide any data to aid in determining flood risk. In addition, this website is intended for users who are interested in current and historic flood maps and does not contain accurate data on rebuilding after a significant flood event such as Hurricane Sandy, which occurred on 2012 and 2013.

Conclusion

FEMA flood maps can be a very useful tool. If you are buying or selling property, you may want to know if there have been any changes in your community’s flood zone designation. On the other hand, you may be planning to rebuild after a devastating flood event, and you want to make sure that your property is rebuilt in the appropriate flood zone. You need the assistance of a FEMA approved professional for this type of work so that you comply with all local and federal codes.

Beware of Non-Approved Maps

There are many non-approved (and non-FEMA) maps that have been circulated as flood maps and are not entitled to be considered valid in any way.