Flood zones are geographic areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. These zones are depicted on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Hazard Boundary Map. Each zone reflects the
Flood zones are geographic areas that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has defined according to varying levels of flood risk. These zones are depicted on a community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map or Flood Hazard Boundary Map. Each zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.
Flood insurance is supplemental insurance which covers a homeowner for any loss due to water damage from a flood.
Often required by lenders for homes located in FEMA-designated flood zones.
FEMA-Flood Zones Legend
Zone A is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance floodplains that are determined in the FIS by approximate methods.
Zone AE is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance flood plains that are determined in the FIS by detailed methods.
Zone AH is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the areas of 1 percent annual chance shallow flooding with a constant water-surface elevation (usually areas that pond) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet.
Zone AO is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between 1 and 3 feet.
Zone A99 is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance floodplain that will be protected by a Federal Flood protection system where construction has reached specified statutory milestones.
Zone AR is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to areas of special flood hazard that results from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is determined to be in the process of being restored to provide a 1 percent annual chance or greater level of flood protection.
Zone AR/A; AR/AE; AR/AO; and AR/AH are dual flood insurance risk zones that correspond to areas of special flood hazard that result from the decertification of a previously accredited flood protection system that is determined to be in the process of being restored to provide a 1 percent annual chance or greater level of flood protection.
Zone V is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance coastal floodplains that have additional hazards associated with storm waves.
Zone VE is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to the 1 percent annual chance coastal floodplains that have additional hazards associated with storm waves.
Zone X is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to areas outside the 1 percent annual chance floodplain, and areas of 1 percent annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 1 percent annual chance stream flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile, or areas protected from the 1 percent annual chance flood by levees.
Zone D is the flood insurance risk zone that corresponds to unstudied areas where flood hazards are undetermined, but possible. Zone D designation may not be used in Flood Insurance Studies unless otherwise approved by the Regional Project Officer.
It should be noted that the Mapping Partner is not required to perform a flood hazard factor analysis subsequent Zone A1-A30 or AE determination even though this information may currently be reflected on a community’s FIRM published in the non-map initiative format.
For more information visit www.fema.gov, www.floodsmart.gov or www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments/PublicWorks/BuildingDivision/FloodReview
• The Kaua’i Board of Realtors is a nonprofit organization comprised of 503 Realtors and associates from the bank, mortgage and title and escrow industry. It is a real estate resource for its members and the community it serves. The board answers reader questions twice a month in the Business section. For more information or to submit questions about the real estate industry, mail them to: Kaua‘i Board of Realtors, Attention: Questions, 4359 Kukui Grove Street Suite #103 Lihu‘e, HI, 96766, call 245-4049 or visit us at www.kauaiboard.com
