These systems help control water in high-risk areas by reaching specific legal requirements regarding how they are built. Zone A99 - indicates that while an area has a one percent chance of flooding in any given year, it is being protected by a federal flood control system, such as a dam, levee, or dike. As with Zone AO, flooding from these areas is expected to have an average depth of one to three feet. Zone AH - used when the annual flood risk is the result of shallow flooding from a pond.

Flooding is typically the result of sheet flow - or when surface waters overflow because of high precipitation. The area in question has at least a one percent chance of shallow flooding in any given year, with the floods expected to have an average depth between one and three feet. Zone AO - indicates a river or stream flood hazard area, including alluvial fans and washes. The numbered “A” zones fulfill the same purpose as Zone AE, but are being replaced in the newer versions of these maps. Zone AE is the standard for new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which are being used to replace Zones A1-A30. Zone AE - is used for base floodplains where base flood elevations have been measured. Zone A indicates the area hasn’t undergone a detailed analysis to determine the elevation or depth of base floods. Zone A - used to designate an area with a one percent chance of flooding in any given year - which equates to a 26 percent chance of the property being flooded during a standard 30-year mortgage period. There are several different zones that help to describe the specific nature of the flood risk. Special Flood Hazard AreasĪreas that have a one percent or greater chance of being flooded in a given year are designated as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) by FEMA. Within these broader categories of high-risk and low-risk flood zones, there are several letter designations that explain in greater detail the severity and type of flood threat an area may face. The 100-year floodplain standard (also known as the base flood) is the baseline for determining an area’s risk for flooding, and plays a direct role in whether an area will be given a high-risk or moderate to low-risk designation. Of course, there are many locations that could experience flooding on a much more frequent basis. Breaking Down FEMA Flood ZonesįEMA determines flood hazard based on the likelihood that an area will experience one flood during a 100-year period - or in other words, that an area has a one percent chance of experiencing a major flood event in any given year. Here’s what you need to know about the different FEMA flood zones (including Florida Keys flood zones), and what they mean for your flood insurance needs. FEMA flood zone designations are available to assess an area’s flood risk, and will go a long way in helping you decide if you need flood insurance for your property.

The good news, however, is that you don’t have to leave the question of whether you should leave flood insurance to guesswork.

While obtaining flood insurance can increase your annual premium by several hundred dollars, its benefits can well outweigh the costs if your property was to suffer flood damage. Flood insurance covers water damage that stems from heavy rains, storm surges, high tides and other natural disasters.

Fema flood zone ae