Severe Weather

Understanding Flood Zones and Your Flood Risk

Many people don't know if their home is in a flood zone. Here's how to find out and what to do with that information.

FEMA flood map being reviewed

FEMA flood maps (available at msc.fema.gov) show the flood risk for every parcel of land in the US. Knowing your zone affects your insurance decisions and your emergency planning.

Zone A and AE are high-risk flood zones where flood insurance is typically required for federally backed mortgages. Zone X is lower risk. Even Zone X can flood — the designation reflects probability, not certainty.

Next StepsUse the guides and free checklists below to keep building.

Flooding Scenario
Flooding Scenario