How to read FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Maps

Question: Is the unshaded area in the FIRM out of the flood zone?

Not always according to the FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Maps) online. †1

Zone X Shaded is greater than or equal to the 0.2% (500 year) annual flood predictions.

Zone X Unshaded is less than or equal to the 0.2% (500 year) annual flood predictions.

Your formulas:

If Zone X >= 0.2 Then Zone X is Shaded

If Zone X <= 0.2 Then Zone X is Unshaded

The most important part of understanding the Flood Insurance Rate Maps is learning the legend.

From the LSU Ag Center FIRM Legend: ZONE X - Areas of 500-year flood; or 100-year flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from 100-year flood. †2

Another important lesson is to understand what the 100 year and 500 year flood predictions really mean.

100 year flood = 1% (One Percent) chance of a flood each year.

500 year Flood = 0.2% (zero point two percent) chance of a flood each year.

(Educated Guess, no actual data spanning 500 years for any given flood zone.)

1000 year Flood = Not enough data to determine. (Guess work / Engineers calculations / Opinion)

For more reading about percentage and predictions here are some resources.

USGS water.usgs.gov.

1. What is a 100 year flood? †3

2. How accurate are 100-year flood estimates? †4

3. Can we have two 100-year floods close together? †5

FEMA

1. The 100 Year Flood Myth FEMA Training. †6

What we have learned about FIRM Maps from experience.

- FIRM Maps assist in identifying flood zones.

- FIRM Maps do not guarantee your property will not flood.

For our example, enter: 30.4866 -90.9308 into the search field at http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/

After you enter your search information (coordinates or street address) you will see a pin with a number appear on your map. Click or Tap the pin number to show information about this specific location.

In our example we see the flood zone type is Flood Zone X and we are in an unshaded area.

This for the most part would indicate that FEMA and the NFIP does not require you to carry flood insurance on your property and home. But, some mortgage lenders may require flood insurance do to the proximity to other flood prone areas.

The example we used is not unique or the exception.

The example is in a Flood Zone X Unshaded which is not required to hold flood insurance. But the home and surrounding properties did flood August 2016. It is estimated the this area had 20 inches to 32 inches of water in the homes based on ground elevation. If the home was elevated the water in the home during the August 2016 flood would be less than the 20 to 32 inch estimates.

FEMA does not require Zone X Unshaded to have flood insurance. But, some lenders may require flood insurance.

FEMA Document:

(https://www.fema.gov/faq-details/Flood-Insurance-Requirement )

- Click the information icons at the LSUAgCenter.Com Flood Maps.

- It's important to understand elevation is ground level compared to sea level when we talk at base flood elevation and elevated property / homes.

- It's also important to identify ALL Flood Zones in your area and any special markings.

If you have a question feel free to use the comment section.

References / Footnotes :

1. FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map) http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/

2. FIRM Legend http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/legend.htm

3. USGS What is a 100 year flood? https://water.usgs.gov/edu/100yearflood-basic.html

4. USGS How accurate are 100-year flood estimates? https://water.usgs.gov/edu/100yearflood-basic-2.html

5. USGS Can we have two 100-year floods close together? https://water.usgs.gov/edu/100yearflood-basic-3.html

6. FEMA The 100 Year Flood Myth FEMA Training https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/docs/hazrm/handout 3-5.pdf

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Author: Murray Wennerlund

Original post location

Published: 10-11-2017 Revised: 3-5-2023

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