WHAT ARE FLORIDA FLOOD ZONES AND WHY DOES MY FLOOD ZONE MATTER?

What are Flood Zones, and Why Does My Flood Zone Matter?

A flood zone is a geographical area designated on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map. Flood zones are intended to be an indication of estimated flood risk, and they are currently used to determine which properties are lender-required to carry flood insurance.
Recent flooding events, such as Hurricanes Sandy, Irma, and Harvey have shown that there are serious misconceptions about flood zones and flood risk. Our goal at National Flood Insurance is to provide you, the consumer, one thing and one thing only – knowledge.

By understanding your flood zone and your true level of flood risk, you will be better informed of how you can protect your home, assets, and family in the event of flooding.

What Is The Difference Between a
Low-risk and High-risk Flood Zone?

Moderate- to low-risk

(Zones B, C, and X)

Zones FEMA has mapped as areas of moderate to minimal flood hazard. These areas are typically protected by levees or are in shallow flooding areas.

Low-risk, however, does not mean a flood won’t occur. In fact, about 25% of all flood insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk zones. This does not include the many properties in zones B, C and X that flood every year, and do not carry flood insurance.

High-risk

(Zones A and V)

Zones FEMA has mapped as areas of high flood risk. Properties located in A and V flood zones have a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year, and a 26% chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage.

This 1% or greater annual chance of flooding is often referred to as a 100-year flood. The term 100-year flood is widely misunderstood to mean that these areas only flood once every 100 years.