Mandatory flood insurance requirement and floodplain management standard and regulations apply. Zone AE: Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance (100-year) flood event determined by detailed methods and Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown. Zone A: Areas of special flood hazard subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance (100-year) flood event where no detailed hydraulic analyses were performed, and no Base Flood Elevation (BFE) water surface elevation determined. The SFHA includes many Zones but only A, AH, AO, AE, A99, VE, and V apply to the City of Oceanside.įor more information please check FEMA website.Īdditional information concerning specific flood zone requirements can be found in the NFIP Regulations. The SFHA is shown on NFIP, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

SFHA is the area where the NFIP's floodplain management regulations must be enforced and the area where the mandatory purchase of flood insurance applies. The 1% annual-chance of flooding is also referred to as the (100 year or base) flood. The SFHAs are defined as areas that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1% chance of being equal or exceeded in any given year. However, most insurance experts recommend purchasing some level of flood protection even if you live outside of a high-risk area.The land area covered by the floodwaters of the base flood is the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. Many states require homeowners living in high-risk flood zones to purchase insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), while property owners in moderate- to low-risk regions can opt out. Zone V: Coastal areas that have a 1% or higher chance of flooding, along with an increased risk of storm surge.Zone AR: Any region that has a temporarily increased flood risk due to the construction or renovation of flood control systems, such as levees or dams.Zone AO: River or stream flood hazard areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding each year, often due to sheet flow.

Zone AH: Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually due to ponds or other bodies of water with an average depth of 1 to 3 feet.Zone AE: Regions with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance over the life of a 30-year mortgage.Zone C or X (unshaded): Areas with minimal flood risks, such as those that have ponding and/or local drainage problems.Zone B or X (shaded): Refers to regions with moderate flood hazards and base floodplains that may pose a risk to buildings and public property.Here’s a quick breakdown of the key flood zones you should look out for: Moderate- to low-risk areas Each zone has its own level of flood risk and different regulations concerning flood insurance. Base flood elevation: The calculated elevation that floodwaters are anticipated to rise to during a base flood event, also referred to as the “1% annual chance flood” or “100-year flood,” according to FEMA.Īs suggested by their name, flood zone maps are divided into “zones” that reflect the severity or type of flooding common in a given area.Special flood hazard area: Regions that FEMA has identified as having a high risk of flooding and where flood insurance is mandatory.Floodplains: Areas of low-lying ground that are adjacent to a river or other body of water, which makes them more prone to seasonal flooding.Before looking up your neighborhood, it’s important to understand some of the key terms used in flood zone maps, including: In most cases, coastal and low-lying areas have the highest chance of flooding, though extreme weather can threaten homes at every elevation. Flood insurance rate maps (FIRM), known more commonly as flood zone maps, provide an overview of geographic regions and their varying levels of flood risks.

Fema flood zone ah