What do the flood zone designations on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps mean?
If a property within Charleston County is in one of the following flood zones: “A” Zone*: The property is in the special flood hazard area and is subject to flooding from rising water during a 1% chance storm. Properties in this flood zone will be required to be elevated to a designated height and will be required to be insured with flood insurance if a mortgage is taken out on the property. “V” Zone**: The property is in the special flood hazard area and is subject to flooding from rising water and wave action during a 1% chance storm. Properties in this flood zone will be required to be elevated to a designated height, and all enclosures below the designated height will be required to have break-away walls. Flood insurance will be required on a property in this flood zone if a mortgage is taken out on the property. “X” Zone: The property is not in the special flood hazard area. There are no required elevations for properties in this flood zone. Flood insurance is recommended but not
