Is My Home in a Flood Zone?

Though every area technically has some risk of flooding, some places have a much higher risk than others. Flood zones are used to officially indicate a specific area's risk level for flooding based on past trends and data. In areas with a higher chance of flooding, having flood insurance is critical to get reimbursement for potential damage to your home and personal property caused by floodwaters.

What Is a Flood Zone?

A flood zone is designated on a Flood Hazard Boundary Map and shows a specific area's risk of flooding. A specific rating is assigned to each area, and the ratings correspond to the estimated flood risk based on past trends. Flood zones can be used to indicate if lenders will require flood insurance for those areas and how much flood insurance may cost for homes within each zone.

Is My House in a Flood Zone?

You might understandably be wondering, "Is my home in a flood zone?" To find out if your house is in a flood zone, you can use FEMA's Flood Map. FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the organization that officially designates flood zones. While every home is technically in a designated flood zone, the best way to know if your property is in a high-risk flood zone is to reference FEMA's official map, which shows each community’s risk of flooding and includes flood zones and their boundaries. FEMA's Flood Rate Insurance Map can easily help you answer, "Do I live in a flood zone?"

Reading a Flood Zone Map

Reading a flood zone map can help you understand how FEMA considers each zone for risk of flooding. It can also answer these questions: "What flood zone am I in?" "Is my property in a flood zone?" "Is my address in a flood zone?" and "What is my flood zone?" Here are some of the major flood zones outlined on FEMA's map, which can help you understand how to check flood zones in your area.

• Flood Zone A: These flood zones are considered to be at high risk for flooding. These areas are usually along ponds, rivers, and streams.
• Flood Zone V: This flood zone refers to areas that have not been evaluated for flood risks. Flood Zone V is used for high-risk coastal areas, which may receive damage due to flooding and strong waves in storms.
• Flood Zone B: These flood zones are considered to be at moderate risk for flooding. 
• Flood Zone C: These areas are considered to be at low risk for flooding.
• Flood Zone X: These areas are designated as "X" on newer flood insurance rate maps when they were previously identified as Flood Zones "B" and "C."

Types of Flooding in the US

Different types of flooding can occur in the US. Understanding the different types of flooding is also critical to helping you answer the questions "How do I know if I'm in a flood zone?" or "How do I know what flood zone I am in?" How to know if you are in a flood zone starts with learning the different kinds of flooding that can be experienced across the country. 

Riverine Flooding

Riverine flooding stems from rivers and streams, which can be extremely common sources of flooding in the US. When a river, stream, or other body of water overflows, it's referred to as riverine flooding. Quick overflows are known as flash flooding.

Coastal Flooding

Homes in the US located along the coast are at an increased risk of flooding due to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can influence tides and send large amounts of water inland very quickly. Coastal flooding simply refers to flooding that happens along the coast. Properties and homes in these areas are considered to be in high-risk flood zones by FEMA due to the possibility of becoming quickly inundated by tide waters.

Surface Water Flooding

Surface water flooding refers to flooding that happens because of stormwater and rainfall pooling in low-lying areas. These flooding events occur in areas where runoff, stormwater, and rainfall can gather. Storms can cause drainage systems to become overwhelmed, leaving excess water to pool around residential and commercial areas instead of being directed away as intended.

How to Protect Your Home from Flooding

There are some preventive measures you can take to help protect your home from flooding. One easy step is to ensure your home is protected by the right type of coverage so you can get reimbursed for flood damage or destruction to your property. You can also install flood sensors and pumps to help prevent or handle any mess quickly.

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is one of the best ways to protect your home and personal property long-term. Having flood insurance is the only way to recover financially in the event of a flood since homeowners insurance excludes damage and destruction caused by natural sources of water, such as flooding due to hurricanes and tsunamis. With a flood insurance policy, you can get reimbursement for personal property that gets damaged or destroyed by floodwaters, as well as compensation for repairs to your home's structure if necessary.

Flood Sensors

Flood sensors act as a way to detect flooding early on by checking for leaks from appliances. Many modern flood sensors can send alerts right to your smartphone immediately upon detecting a water leak. Flood sensors can detect leaks from washing machines and water heaters, as well as weather-related leaks in your home's basement.

Flood Pumps

Flood pumps, or sump pumps, can prevent additional flooding but cannot stop water from flowing in or reverse damage to your property. However, sump pumps can still be extremely beneficial in the event of an indoor flood. These devices work by removing excess water from flooded areas of the home, such as the basement. Being able to remove excess water from your home quickly can help minimize the risk of extensive water damage to the dwelling as well as your personal belongings.

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Find Flood Insurance for Your Home from a Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent

If you have further flood insurance questions, get in touch with a local independent insurance agent. These agents can help answer any remaining questions and help find the right policy to meet your flood coverage needs. They'll shop and compare flood insurance policies from multiple carriers that offer coverage in your area and ultimately find the best overall blend of coverage and cost. Plus, your agent can help file claims for you and even update or change your coverage as necessary.