Is your sitein the floodplain?
A fast screening against FEMA’s flood maps. A starting point, not a determination.
STA 0+00The check
Type an address.See the zone.
You’ll get the FEMA flood zone at that point, the base flood elevation where one is published, and whether the site touches a regulatory floodway.
- Screening only. Maps can be out of date or too coarse for a single lot.
- A real answer comes from survey, the effective model and a licensed engineer.
- If you’re in or near a special flood hazard area, talk to us before you design.
Flood zoneAE
Base flood elev.9 ft
FloodwayNo
Example Type an address to check it against FEMA’s flood maps.Zone AE is a special flood hazard area with a published base flood elevation. Building here usually needs a floodplain development permit, and lenders require flood insurance on federally backed mortgages.Get a real answer from a PE →
STA 0+00Reading the map
What eachflood zone means.
Zones starting with A or V are special flood hazard areas: the 1% annual chance floodplain. That’s where floodplain permits and mandatory flood insurance usually apply.
| Zone | What it means | Special flood hazard area |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1% annual chance flood area with no base flood elevation determined. | Yes |
| AE | 1% annual chance flood area with base flood elevations determined. | Yes |
| AH | 1% annual chance shallow flooding, usually ponding, with depths of 1 to 3 ft and BFEs determined. | Yes |
| AO | 1% annual chance shallow flooding, usually sheet flow, with depths of 1 to 3 ft. | Yes |
| VE | Coastal high hazard area with wave action and base flood elevations. | Yes |
| X (shaded) | Moderate hazard: the 0.2% annual chance flood area, or 1% flooding with average depths under 1 ft. | No |
| X (unshaded) | Minimal hazard, outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. | No |
| D | Possible but undetermined flood hazard. | No |
STA 0+00What happens next
If you’re inthe floodplain.
Above the BFE
LOMA
If the lot or structure sits on natural ground above the base flood elevation, a Letter of Map Amendment can remove it from the SFHA.
Building in the fringe
Floodplain permit
Development in the flood fringe usually needs a local floodplain permit, elevation and documentation.
Building in the floodway
No-rise
Floodway development needs an analysis showing 0.00 ft of rise, or a CLOMR first.
STA 0+00Start a project
Screen it here.Then get a real answer.
Email mcreel@creelengineering.com Phone 919-757-2886Reply within one business day