Special Flood Hazard Areas in Insurance

A flood is defined by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area of two or more properties (at least 1 of which is the policyholder's property) from overflow of inland or tidal waters or mudslides. A flood inundates a floodplain. The flood categories are: riverine flooding, coastal flooding, shallow flooding, and alluvial fan flooding.

What is a Special Flood Hazard Area?

According to FEMA, flood hazard areas identified on the Flood Insurance Rate Map are identified as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). There is also non-special flood hazard areas which have a mild to moderate change of flooding.

Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) are defined as the area that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1% annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood.

- Flood Zone A: 1% annual chance of flooding and 26^ change of flooding over a 30 year mortgage

- Flood Zone AO

- Flood Zone AH

- Flood Zones A1-A30

- Flood Zone AE

- Flood Zone A99

- Flood Zone AR

- Flood Zone AR/AE

- Flood Zone AR/AO

- Flood Zone AR/A1-A30

- Flood Zone AR/A

- Flood Zone V

- Flood Zone VE

- Flood Zones V1-V30

What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is an additional coverage insurance policy that protects your property from severe types of water damage as a result of heavy rains, storms, hurricasnes, levees, and melting snow.

Do I need flood insurance?

If you have a property in high-risk flood areas, you might be required to have flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) managed by FEMA has identified roughly 23,000 communities in the declared counties that are prone to floods and have agreed to adopt and implement local floodplain management regulations.

Tip to minimize flood damage

1. Move your equipment and furniture to higher floors or countertops
2. Anchor outdoor fuels tanks and other service equipment
3. Install and maintain proper water drainage and runoff
4. Seal the foundation and basement walls
5. Install flood vents to allow floodwater to flow freely
6. Install drain plugs to prevent sewer backups

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