Everyone lives in some type of flood zone. These are geographic areas that FEMA defines, based on studies of flood risk. The zone boundaries are shown on flood hazard maps, also called Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Below are brief definitions of the FEMA flood zones.

LOW-TO-MODERATE RISK ZONES (Non-Special Flood Hazard Areas)

In communities that participate in the NFIP, flood insurance is available to all property owners and renters with low-to-moderate risk of a major flood. A major flood is defined as a flood with a 1% annual chance of occurring.

Zones B, C, and X

• Areas outside the 1% annual flood risk floodplain
• Areas of 1% annual shallow flooding risk where average depths are less than 1 foot
• Areas of 1% annual stream flooding risk where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile
• Areas protected by levees from the 1% annual flood risk. Insurance purchase is not required in these zones.

HIGH-RISK ZONES (Special Flood Hazard Areas)

In communities that participate in the NFIP, all homeowners in Zone A (high-risk) areas are required to get flood insurance in order to get a loan from a federally regulated lender. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage.

Zone A

Areas with a 1% annual flood risk and a 26% risk of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas, no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones.

Zone AE and A1-A30

Areas subject to a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding in any given year. Base flood elevations are shown as derived from detailed analyses. (Zone AE is used on new and revised maps in place of Zones A1-A30).

Zone AH

Areas subject to a 1% or greater annual chance of shallow flooding in any given year. Flooding is usually in the form of ponding, with the average depths between one and three feet. Base flood elevations are shown as derived from detailed analyses.

Zone AO

River or stream flood hazard areas, and areas with a 1% or greater annual shallow flooding risk, with flooding usually in the form of sheet flow with average depths between one and three feet. Average flood depths are shown as derived from detailed analyses.

Zone AR

Areas subject to a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding in any given year, which results from a temporary increased flood risk due to the building or restoration of a flood control system (such as a levee or a dam).

Zone A99

Areas subject to a 1% or greater annual chance of flooding in any given year, but which ultimately will be protected by completion of a flood protection system under construction. No base flood elevations or flood depths are shown.

Zone V

Coastal areas with a 1% or greater flood risk and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. Because no detailed analyses have been performed of these areas, no base flood elevations are shown.

Zone VE and V1-30

Coastal areas with a 1% or greater flood risk and an additional hazard associated with storm waves. Base flood elevations are shown as derived from detailed analyses. (Zone AE is used on new and revised maps in place of Zones A1-A30).

UNDETERMINED-RISK ZONES

Zone D

In areas of possible but undetermined flood risk, flood insurance rates reflect the uncertainty of the flood risk.

For comprehensive flood zone definitions, visit the NFIP Web site. If you’d like additional information, contact your agent or find an agent serving your area by filling out the Flood Risk Profile to the left.

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